Quick: Wesley Matthews "Felt Disrespected" By Portland Trail Blazers In Free Agency

In the third installment of the Wesley Matthews "Rebuilding Of Iron Man" injury-recovery series by Jason Quick of The Oregonian/OregonLive, Matthews had less-than-flattering words about the Portland Trail Blazers front office, and their treatment of him in the offseason.

He had hoped he could return to the city that had embraced him, to the team with players he considered brothers, to the franchise where he grew into one of the NBA's most well-rounded and respected shooting guards.

But in the end, after five seasons, the feeling was not mutual. He was greeted with silence. No phone call. No text messages. The Blazers never made an offer.

"I was pissed off," Matthews said. "I felt disrespected."

Quick added that Olshey believed retaining Matthews only made sense if LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the team.  Once Aldridge was gone, there was no room for a 29-year old coming off an Achilles tendon tear.

According to Quick, Matthews claimed to be upset that he was never the go-to option in crunch time, and never had the responsibility of carrying the team.  Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks promised him to be a "cornerstone" of the franchise going forward, which lured Wesley to Dallas.

Matthews also had strong words for fellow free agent signings Khris Middleton and DeMarre Carroll claiming that he would take himself "ten times out of ten over those guys".

Matthews reportedly agreed to terms with the Dallas Mavericks on July 3, after previous rumors of negotiations. The deal was upgraded to a max contract after DeAndre Jordan reportedly backed out of an agreement to join the Mavs.

In five season in Portland, Matthews averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Blazers used a full mid-level deal to sign him away from the Utah Jazz, where he spent his first season after going undrafted.

[Thanks to JP503, who posted this first in the Fanshots]