Report: Dallas Mavericks Still Chasing Wesley Matthews

This morning Tim MacMahon of ESPN elaborates on a reference made by fellow ESPN writer Marc Stein, suggesting the Dallas Mavericks are in hot pursuit of Portland Trail Blazers free agent guard Wesley Matthews. His full-length article details the reasons the Mavericks and Matthews are made for each other.

Matthews has been the epitome of a 3-and-D threat, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound smart, savvy stopper who ranks among the NBA's most prolific perimeter shooters. He's a floor spacer who has some ability to create offensively and a guy who can give any wing a hard time on the other end of the floor. He's also a terrific teammate. He's pretty much the anti-Monta.

A healthy Matthews would without question be the Mavs' top target at shooting guard this summer. A rehabbing Matthews still might be.

His injury, which torpedoed the Portland Trail Blazers' chances of contending, muddies the waters as Matthews enters free agency. But two things are clear: 1) The Mavs are still very much interested, with ESPN.com's Marc Stein reporting that the Toronto Raptors also plan to pursue him; 2) Matthews has no intention of being anyone's injury discount.

Matthews is reportedly seeking $15 million per year in free agency. Then again, in a couple years $15 million per may be the new normal.

Matthews has played in the NBA 6 seasons, 5 with the Trail Blazers, with a career average of 14.3 ppg off of 44.3% shooting from the field, 39.3% from the three-point arc.

Update: Sister site MavsMoneyball takes a look at the pros and cons of Dallas' interest in Matthews.