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Chalk one up for the Mavericks.
Wesley Matthews has agreed to a four-year deal with Dallas, according to multiple reports.
DA (@daldridgetnt) says it's a four-year deal. ESPN sources say specific $$$ won't be known until after Mavs' pursuits of Jordan & Aldridge
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 3, 2015
Matthews reportedly turned down a whopping $64 million over four years from the Sacramento Kings in order to sign with the Mavericks. The Toronto Raptors were interested in the free-agent shooting guard, as well.
It's like the old saying goes: When your heart's in Dallas, your heart's in Dallas.
Matthews, who will turn 29 in mid-October, is coming off a torn left Achilles tendon, but that didn't stop teams from coming to him with significant cash. A 3-and-D asset when he's healthy, he averaged 15.9 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 60 games last season, hitting 39 percent of his 3-point attempts.
A Marquette product, the six-year NBA vet spent the past five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming a fan favorite in Rip City. He made $7.2 million in 2014-15, and was set to more than double his annual salary had he decided to sign with the Kings.
Matthews didn't chase the money, though - or the dysfunction, depending on your perspective - and will take over for the departed Monta Ellis in Dallas, after Ellis opted out of the final year of his contract and agreed to a four-year deal of his own with the Indiana Pacers.
I hear Mavs' 4-year deal with Wesley Matthews will probably average about $13 million per year. Flexible depending on DeAndre decision.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 3, 2015
Meanwhile, an interesting offseason in Sacramento somehow gets even more, well, interesting.
Brutal reality for Sacramento Kings. Landing free agents is about more than $$$. But too many to blame for this mess. #YouReapWhatYouSow
— James Ham (@James_Ham) July 3, 2015
The signing for the ever-contending Mavericks comes while they're still waiting for an answer from DeAndre Jordan, the for-now-former Los Angeles big man who is reportedly torn between the Clippers and Mavericks.
One more domino down, a few more to go. And, once again, we're reminded: There's very little "free" about 2015 free agency.
