Wes Matthews Free Agency

[Clarence]

It sounds like Wes is about to be a very rich man

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/index.php?p=16245&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

[chapman]

Could the salary structure be any more confusing?  It works, I suppose.  The NBA doesn't have a Yankees who can sign any and every big name free agent like baseball, and they don't have at least one holdout on every team and sign players to 7 year $120 million deals and then release them after two years like the NFL. 

[Blackhat]

I would think Wes would like to work something out with the Jazz if at least to reward them for taking a chance on him and giving him an opportunity. 

Plus he fits Sloan's system. 

[Hards Alumni]

I would think Wes would like to work something out with the Jazz if at least to reward them for taking a chance on him and giving him an opportunity.  

Plus he fits Sloan's system.  

"F_CK YOU, PAY ME"

sorry, strike while the iron is hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ydqjqZ_3oc

edit: added link to preempt any "what is that quote from?" posts.

[GOMU1104]

Yea...go get paid.

[Blackhat]

Matthews will probably have more longevity and more $$$ in the long run playing in a system like the Jazz where his defense is actually valued. 

I'm not saying the guy settles on peanuts but if the money is similar......

[Clarence]

It sounds like the Jazz are going to sign him, but the article does bring up a strategic question for Wes' camp

1. Sign a 5 year 34MM deal, and be potentially underpaid as a starting 2 in the league
or
2. Sign a 2 year 10MM deal, and then hit Free Agency with all of his Bird rights. 

If I'm Wes I sign for as much $ and years as I can get guaranteed right now.  I might feel that way because the market was down alomost 400 points today and I am feeling a little punchy, but it seems like a big risk given his draft position, or lack there of. 

On the other hand, if he is starting for the Jazz in two years in the playoffs and hitting the market as an unrestricted 25 year old free agent, he could nail down some serious coin. 

[State Street Warrior]

Matthews will probably have more longevity and more $$$ in the long run playing in a system like the Jazz where his defense is actually valued. 

I'm not saying the guy settles on peanuts but if the money is similar......

I'm thinking it will be likely he stays with the jazz.  A few Salt Lake articles and even stuff I have seen elsewhere on the internet talk about it being a priority for the Jazz.  The fact that Utah is allowed to match any offer is big, as I think they will make a lower offer and if he looks elsewhere, match any offer he receives with in reason.  They already traded Brewer so they don't really have the depth to let him go, nor the money to sign a big name player.  Besides that, Sloan seems to really like Wes and vice versa.  And I doubt that another team will offer anything to close to the 5yr 34Mil that the Jazz could afford to spend.  If I am wrong though and someone does put up that kind of money, then yes the Jazz will likely not be able to match it and Wes will go somewhere else.  (If I remember correctly other teams are allowed to offer that much, right?)  He does have a unique situation though so it will be interesting to watch.

[GOO]

34Mill guaranteed.  I take the guaranteed money right now.

[willie warrior]

Pretty complicated, but I do not see him making almost 7 million per year for 5 years based on one years performance.

But then again, I believe J. Oneal of the Heat is making 18 million per year and is useless. Salaries in the NBA need to be re-worked.

[Lennys Tap]

Remember the contract Jimmy Mac signed? Nothing surprises me in the NBA.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

Regardless......CONGRATS to Wes!  Way to represent MU! 

I'll also add, Lazar is next!

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Isn't the average NBA player's career about 4 years? He would do well to stay with a system he fits and sign a longer term contract

[Hards Alumni]

Pretty complicated, but I do not see him making almost 7 million per year for 5 years based on one years performance.

But then again, I believe J. Oneal of the Heat is making 18 million per year and is useless. Salaries in the NBA need to be re-worked.

Salaries in the NBA will get reworked when there is a lockout after next year.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Love Wes, but I have a hard time seeing anyone ponying up that kind of cash after 1 year.

[mug644]

Salaries in the NBA will get reworked when there is a lockout after next year.

How does the possibility of a lockout influence his thinking and choice when signing this summer?

[HoopsMalone]

If the Bulls get James, Wes would be perfect for that team.  Unselfish player who could play tough D so that Rose and James do not have to take the top scoring wingman.  He also is very effective when other players set him up for open jump shots, and that is probably his best contribution to an NBA team on offense. The Bulls might be able to afford him.  The Bulls would then have an amazing bench with Hinrich (maybe Hinrich starts) and Deng.  Then upfront hope that Gibson and Noah keep getting better and sign Brad Miller back for cheap. 

Wes could be the missing piece in a nice 8-man rotation...

But, I think playing it safe and playing for a coach who likes you might be the best choice for an undrafted rookie.

[The Pickle]

Poor guy only made $400,000 last year for playing BASKETBALL.  How did he eat?

[77ncaachamps]

Poor guy only made $400,000 last year for playing BASKETBALL.  How did he eat?

Tell me about it.

Nate Clements (49er DB) turned down a $500,000 bonus by not showing up for OTAs (Organized Team Activities).

Spoiled...spoiled...spoiled...

[HouWarrior]

It sounds like the Jazz are going to sign him, but the article does bring up a strategic question for Wes' camp

1. Sign a 5 year 34MM deal, and be potentially underpaid as a starting 2 in the league
or
2. Sign a 2 year 10MM deal, and then hit Free Agency with all of his Bird rights.  

If I'm Wes I sign for as much $ and years as I can get guaranteed right now.  I might feel that way because the market was down alomost 400 points today and I am feeling a little punchy, but it seems like a big risk given his draft position, or lack there of.  

On the other hand, if he is starting for the Jazz in two years in the playoffs and hitting the market as an unrestricted 25 year old free agent, he could nail down some serious coin.  

The options for wes are phenomonal--ask any player DRAFTED in his class, (outside of the top 10 lottery picks) if they like his position or theirs, HIS is better...he will earn in year 2 and 3 FAR more than the rookie wage scale....ie better, for him not to have been drafted!!

Likewise if Lazar pulls off a "Wes" scenario, he too can do better after year one than those drafted, and BOUND by the 3 year NBA mandated wage scale,to wit:


2010-11 NBA Rookie Scale (ooo's)

Pick 1st Year Salary 2nd Year Salary 3rd Year Option Salary 4th Year Option: Percentage Increase
Over 3rd Year Salary Qualifying Offer: Percentage Increase
Over 4th Year Salary
1
 $4,286.9
 4,608.4
 4,929.9
 26.1%
 30.0%
 
2
 3,835.6
 4,123.2
 4,410.9
 26.2%
 30.5%
 
3
 3,444.4
 3,702.8
 3,961.1
 26.4%
 31.2%
 
4
 3,105.5
 3,338.4
 3,571.3
 26.5%
 31.9%
 
5
 2,812.2
 3,023.1
 3,234.0
 26.7%
 32.6%
 
6
 2,554.2
 2,745.8
 2,937.4
 26.8%
 33.4%
 
7
 2,331.7
 2,506.6
 2,681.4
 27.0%
 34.1%
 
8
 2,136.1
 2,296.3
 2,456.5
 27.2%
 34.8%
 
9
 1,963.6
 2,110.8
 2,258.1
 27.4%
 35.5%
 
10
 1,865.3
 2,005.2
 2,145.1
 27.5%
 36.2%
 
11
 1,772.1
 1,905.0
 2,037.9
 32.7%
 36.9%
 
12
 1,683.5
 1,809.7
 1,936.0
 37.8%
 37.6%
 
13
 1,599.3
 1,719.2
 1,839.2
 42.9%
 38.3%
 
14
 1,519.4
 1,633.3
 1,747.3
 48.1%
 39.1%
 
15
 1,443.3
 1,551.6
 1,659.8
 53.3%
 39.8%
 
16
 1,371.2
 1,474.0
 1,576.9
 53.4%
 40.5%
 
17
 1,302.6
 1,400.3
 1,498.0
 53.6%
 41.2%
 
18
 1,237.5
 1,330.3
 1,423.1
 53.8%
 41.9%
 
19
 1,181.8
 1,270.4
 1,359.0
 54.0%
 42.6%
 
20
 1,134.5
 1,219.6
 1,304.7
 54.2%
 43.3%
 
21
 1,089.1
 1,170.8
 1,252.5
 59.3%
 44.1%
 
22
 1,045.6
 1,124.0
 1,202.4
 64.5%
 44.8%
 
23
 1,003.8
 1,079.1
 1,154.4
 69.7%
 45.5%
 
24
 963.6
 1,035.9
 1,108.1
 74.9%
 46.2%
 
25
 925.1
 994.4
 1,063.8
 80.1%
 46.9%
 
26
 894.4
 961.5
 1,028.6
 80.3%
 47.6%
 
27
 868.6
 933.7
 998.9
 80.4%
 48.3%
 
28
 863.3
 928.0
 992.7
 80.5%
 49.0%
 
29
 857.0
 921.3
 985.5
 80.5%
 50.0%
 
30
 850.8
 914.6
 978.4
 80.5%
 50.0%
 


Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9302#ixzz0ocGGyZNH

Clearly the trick is in signing for just one year at league minimum, you have to break through, during that year to be near NBA starter material, and the next 2 years signing will actually be HIGHER than what you would've got being drafted and locked in for 3 years. The congrat for Wes is that he did not get lucky-- he worked hard, and NBA deserves to now have to pay MUCH more by failing to draft and lock him up for 3 years

[Avenue Commons]

It sounds like the Jazz are going to sign him, but the article does bring up a strategic question for Wes' camp

1. Sign a 5 year 34MM deal, and be potentially underpaid as a starting 2 in the league
or
2. Sign a 2 year 10MM deal, and then hit Free Agency with all of his Bird rights. 

If I'm Wes I sign for as much $ and years as I can get guaranteed right now.  I might feel that way because the market was down alomost 400 points today and I am feeling a little punchy, but it seems like a big risk given his draft position, or lack there of. 

On the other hand, if he is starting for the Jazz in two years in the playoffs and hitting the market as an unrestricted 25 year old free agent, he could nail down some serious coin. 

I agree with you, but not for the reasons you state. Wes needs to get as much money as he can because who knows how much he could get under a new CBA. This is why Nowitzski it opting out of his contract, he wants to sign a max deal now rather than gamble as to what a "max" is under the new CBA. Everything I've been told is that salaries are going to go down as revenues have been down. Wes should sign for as much as he can NOW, and he will. His agent's a smart guy and a good guy and will do what is best for Wes.

[Avenue Commons]

If the Bulls get James, Wes would be perfect for that team.  Unselfish player who could play tough D so that Rose and James do not have to take the top scoring wingman.  He also is very effective when other players set him up for open jump shots, and that is probably his best contribution to an NBA team on offense. The Bulls might be able to afford him.  The Bulls would then have an amazing bench with Hinrich (maybe Hinrich starts) and Deng.  Then upfront hope that Gibson and Noah keep getting better and sign Brad Miller back for cheap. 

Wes could be the missing piece in a nice 8-man rotation...

But, I think playing it safe and playing for a coach who likes you might be the best choice for an undrafted rookie.

His best bet is staying with the Jazz who can offer the mid level exception. But he would be GREAT on the Bulls. He could play the role of John Salmons before he left for the Bucks via trade. Either Hinrich or Deng will not be on the Bulls next year after they jettison their salaries to sign LeBron and/or Wade and/or Bosh. Wes would be great, great, great on the Bulls.

[HouWarrior]

His best bet is staying with the Jazz who can offer the mid level exception. But he would be GREAT on the Bulls. He could play the role of John Salmons before he left for the Bucks via trade. Either Hinrich or Deng will not be on the Bulls next year after they jettison their salaries to sign LeBron and/or Wade and/or Bosh. Wes would be great, great, great on the Bulls.

NBA GMs would love to learn your secret. NBA salaries are gauranteed--this is not the NFL, where long term expensive contracts can be cut, with the player cut.
Bulls cannot "jetison" Henrich or Deng salaries--cant be done unless you've assumed a greater fool team would trade for either of these 2  bloated salaries.
Bulls can manage only one of the 3 you refer to--they cant pull off getting 2 of the 3 w/o fleecing Miami, Toronto or Clev in a sign and trade--highly unlikely

here is bulls salary problem with these two for at least next 2 years:


Chicago Bulls Team Salary



Player        2009-10   2010-11    2011-12       2012-13       2013-14  
Brad Miller $12,250,000          
Luol Deng $10,365,000 $11,345,000 $12,325,000 $13,365,000 $14,275,000  
Kirk Hinrich $9,500,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000      
Jerome James* $6,600,000          
Derrick Rose $5,184,480 $5,546,160 $6,993,708 Q-$9,091,820    
Tim Thomas* $4,866,600          
Hakim Warrick $3,000,000          
Joe Alexander $2,583,360          
Joakim Noah $2,445,680 $3,128,536 Q-$4,239,167      
Acie Law $2,216,160          
Flip Muray $1,990,000          
Jannero Pargo $1,990,000          
James Johnson $1,594,080 $1,713,600 $1,833,120 $2,812,006 Q-$3,950,869  
Lindsey Hunter* $1,306,455          
Devin Brown $1,107,572          
Taj Gibson $1,039,800 $1,156,080 $1,195,680 $2,153,420 Q-$3,178,447  
Chris Richard# $276,841          
Rob Kurz# $17,970          
TOTAL $68,333,998 $31,889,376 $30,347,508 $18,330,426 ,  $14,275,000 $0

* No Longer With Team



Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9193#ixzz0ozztEjGm

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Its not unthinkable that the Cavs would work out a sign and trade for LeBron. He gets his max deal, Cleveland at least gets something in return. Luol Deng two years ago was considered one of the rising stars in the game. He just turned 25. He still averaged 17+ this year. If you packaged him with a guy like Taj Gibson, who is still on his rookie contract and was a real value in his first year I think the deal could make alot of sense for the Cavs.

[Avenue Commons]

NBA GMs would love to learn your secret. NBA salaries are gauranteed--this is not the NFL, where long term expensive contracts can be cut, with the player cut.
Bulls cannot "jetison" Henrich or Deng salaries--cant be done unless you've assumed a greater fool team would trade for either of these 2  bloated salaries.
Bulls can manage only one of the 3 you refer to--they cant pull off getting 2 of the 3 w/o fleecing Miami, Toronto or Clev in a sign and trade--highly unlikely

here is bulls salary problem with these two for at least next 2 years:


Chicago Bulls Team Salary



Player        2009-10   2010-11    2011-12       2012-13       2013-14  
Brad Miller $12,250,000          
Luol Deng $10,365,000 $11,345,000 $12,325,000 $13,365,000 $14,275,000  
Kirk Hinrich $9,500,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000      
Jerome James* $6,600,000          
Derrick Rose $5,184,480 $5,546,160 $6,993,708 Q-$9,091,820    
Tim Thomas* $4,866,600          
Hakim Warrick $3,000,000          
Joe Alexander $2,583,360          
Joakim Noah $2,445,680 $3,128,536 Q-$4,239,167      
Acie Law $2,216,160          
Flip Muray $1,990,000          
Jannero Pargo $1,990,000          
James Johnson $1,594,080 $1,713,600 $1,833,120 $2,812,006 Q-$3,950,869  
Lindsey Hunter* $1,306,455          
Devin Brown $1,107,572          
Taj Gibson $1,039,800 $1,156,080 $1,195,680 $2,153,420 Q-$3,178,447  
Chris Richard# $276,841          
Rob Kurz# $17,970          
TOTAL $68,333,998 $31,889,376 $30,347,508 $18,330,426 ,  $14,275,000 $0

* No Longer With Team



Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9193#ixzz0ozztEjGm

Hinrich and/or Deng will be moved in a sign and trade or outright trade. It's not a secret.