tlongII
07-15-2010, 03:53 PM
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/07/blazers_wesley_matthews_set_to.html
http://media.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/photo/wesley-matthews-071010jpg-63805691f6a73b36_small.jpg
All indications are that Wesley Matthews will soon become a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, but there is one final hurdle.
Matthews, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $34 million offer sheet with Portland, giving the Utah Jazz seven days to match. But on Wednesday, the Jazz agreed to a three-year, $10 million deal with veteran Raja Bell, who like Matthews is a strong win defender.
"If Raja Bell passes the physical, then it's a done deal," Matthews' agent, Lance Young, said. "If he doesn't, there's still a chance they won't match."
Bell is 34 and played just six games with Charlotte and Golden State last season after having wrist surgery.
"He's been hurt, so there is a little bit of an issue there," Young said. "It's probably three or four days before it's done. I'd say maybe Saturday."
Officially, the Jazz have until Monday to make a decision on Matthews.
Young said Matthews is back in his hometown of Madison, Wis. "He's just waiting it out," Young said.
If Matthews does join the Blazers, he could be a backup to either shooting guard Brandon Roy or small forward Nicolas Batum. Although he started 48 games for Utah last season, Matthews told Fanhouse.com's Chris Tomasson on Wednesday that he would accept a second-team role.
"I'm looking forward to it,'' Matthews told Tomasson. "It's a great organization. Whether they want me to start or come off the bench, it's fine with me. I can be a defender for them.''
http://media.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/photo/wesley-matthews-071010jpg-63805691f6a73b36_small.jpg
All indications are that Wesley Matthews will soon become a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, but there is one final hurdle.
Matthews, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $34 million offer sheet with Portland, giving the Utah Jazz seven days to match. But on Wednesday, the Jazz agreed to a three-year, $10 million deal with veteran Raja Bell, who like Matthews is a strong win defender.
"If Raja Bell passes the physical, then it's a done deal," Matthews' agent, Lance Young, said. "If he doesn't, there's still a chance they won't match."
Bell is 34 and played just six games with Charlotte and Golden State last season after having wrist surgery.
"He's been hurt, so there is a little bit of an issue there," Young said. "It's probably three or four days before it's done. I'd say maybe Saturday."
Officially, the Jazz have until Monday to make a decision on Matthews.
Young said Matthews is back in his hometown of Madison, Wis. "He's just waiting it out," Young said.
If Matthews does join the Blazers, he could be a backup to either shooting guard Brandon Roy or small forward Nicolas Batum. Although he started 48 games for Utah last season, Matthews told Fanhouse.com's Chris Tomasson on Wednesday that he would accept a second-team role.
"I'm looking forward to it,'' Matthews told Tomasson. "It's a great organization. Whether they want me to start or come off the bench, it's fine with me. I can be a defender for them.''