Wes Matthews' role in Portland

[jesmu84]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7335092/brandon-roy-portland-trail-blazers-retire-due-knees-sources-say

does Wes' role dramatically increase this season with this latest update out of portland? i admit, i didn't follow the trailblazers/wes much last year. any insight?

[MarquetteBamaFan]

It helps Wes that Roy retired, but he probably won't have a bigger role this season.  Roy only played 28 minutes a game last year, and some of those minutes came at point guard due to the fact that him and andre miller didn't play well together.  Add in the fact that batum is apparently looking very impressive this summer and the blazers took combo guard nolan smith in the first round of the draft, and I think wes stays at about the same level of minutes as last year (Around 34)

[MU82]

Wes probably will pick up more minutes, but this really is a shame for Roy. He was a hell of a player. This is Example No. 6399 why pro athletes should feel no shame in wanting to maximize their financial take as early as they can in their careers. You never know when a sudden end will come.

[RJax55]

It doesn't change Wes' role very much. It's because of Roy injuries that Wes is on the Blazers in the first place. He was brought in to start and play 30-35 minutes a night.

[flash]

This won't really change Wes's roll on the team.  He was already the starting shooting guard even when Roy was on the team.  Look for Wes to average anywhere from 18- 20 ppg this year. 

[LA]

Wes probably will pick up more minutes, but this really is a shame for Roy. He was a hell of a player. This is Example No. 6399 why pro athletes should feel no shame in wanting to maximize their financial take as early as they can in their careers. You never know when a sudden end will come.

Agree. Roy is a hell of a guy and was great for the league. Can't help but feel bad for him, he couldn't catch a break.

[Markusquette]

Agree. Roy is a hell of a guy and was great for the league. Can't help but feel bad for him, he couldn't catch a break.

Yeah I loved watching Roy play.  Really an underrated star in the league.  Sad to see a player of his calibur (and also seems like a good guy) leave the league. 

I'm sure Wes' role will increase a bit, but nothing drastic.

[77ncaachamps]

Roy had knee problems even at Washington. This retirement due to the knee issue should be no surprise.