Should we match Wesley Matthews offer sheet?

[David Stern]

Here's the deal: I've came around to the idea that Portland wants Utah to match, so I'm starting to think that Utah may want to let Wes walk, but if Utah is willing to overpay for Wes, and the Miller family stays true to their word that they will continue paying the luxury tax as long as the team is contending, then they should retain Wes and go about building a contender.

The only way I don't like Utah matching the offer is if 2 or 3 years down the road our Front Office is crying about finances. However, it seems like I'm one of the few who feels that Wes could become an above average player for Utah if he's allowed to stay and I don't have a problem matching the sheet as long as the Millers realize that may mean more tax dollars out the window.

I agree that Matthews could become a really good player; but he won't with Portland, which is why i'm not afraid to let him walk. Let's get some cheaper vets and try and win this year.

 

[BENTLEY]

Tell me why we don't match it. He is an a great player and was just a rookie. Are you telling me you guys would rather have Miles,Jeffers and Hayward rather than a little pricey Matthews,Miles,Hayward.

Jazz can have Miles, Brewer, and Hayward at a much better price than Matthews, Miles, Hayward.

If you wanna stick it to Portland you let them have Wes play behind Brandon Roy. And grab Brewer for cheap(er).

 

[BENTLEY]

Stern is very astute. Matthews won't get the playing time in Portland to become a really good player. -- Brandon Roy will eat up all the minutes.

What's happening with Rudy Fernandez then? I'd love to snag him.

 

[David Stern]

Stern is very astute. Matthews won't get the playing time in Portland to become a really good player. -- Brandon Roy will eat up all the minutes.

What's happening with Rudy Fernandez then? I'd love to snag him.

They can have the Maynor or Brewer TPE if they want; i'm too lazy to look up and see what he'll actually make this year.

And please don't use big words that I can't understand!

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

I see us matching and regretting it down the road because of financial issues. Not because of Matthews play necessarily. I say let him walk and hurt Portland in the process by have them pay a backup that much money. JMO.

 

[BENTLEY]

I found it.
Fernandez is at $1.25 million this year with the team having the option for next year.

CHEAP! Don't know that Portland would care about such a small sum. Especially after the Jazz surprise them by not matching.

I actually think this is really funny. They gambled the Jazz would match. They're stupid. ...Jazz better not match.

 

[billyshelby]

Jazz can have Miles, Brewer, and Hayward at a much better price than Matthews, Miles, Hayward.

If you wanna stick it to Portland you let them have Wes play behind Brandon Roy. And grab Brewer for cheap(er).

What dream does Portland have, exactly? Batum, Fernandez, Babbitt. Bayless backing up Miller. Roy entrenched. Forgetting Bayless, Wes is absolutely not better than either Fernandez or Batum. Which makes me wonder? Would they be willing to turn this into an S&T where we give them Matthews and get Fernandez? I know Batum is off the table. But I'll happily swap Fernandez for Matthews.

 

[calijazz]

What dream does Portland have, exactly? Batum, Fernandez, Babbitt. Bayless backing up Miller. Roy entrenched. Forgetting Bayless, Wes is absolutely not better than either Fernandez or Batum. Which makes me wonder? Would they be willing to turn this into an S&T where we give them Matthews and get Fernandez? I know Batum is off the table. But I'll happily swap Fernandez for Matthews.

Can't sign-and-trade Wes because he's already signed the offer sheet with the Blazers and the Jazz don't have bird years to be able to do that regardless.

 

[billyshelby]

Can't sign-and-trade Wes because he's already signed the offer sheet with the Blazers and the Jazz don't have bird years to be able to do that regardless.

I'm sure you're right. But maybe they'd be open to a Koufos/Fernandez swap. I doubt it, but if I was KOC I'd throw that at the wall and see if it stuck. If Portland is dumb enough to sign Wes to that deal, who knows what other dumb stuff they're capable of.

 

[BENTLEY]

Yeah, the Blazers think the Jazz FO are really dumb. But c'mon, they can't be THAT DUMB! (they better not be)

Blazers gotta be nervous the Jazz don't match. Like you pointed out - what "dream" do they have exactly? Draft Babbitt behind all-star Roy and disgruntled Fernandez, not to mention the rest of the backcourt and then offer Wes Matthews that toxic contract?? They totally want Jazz to match and screw themselves. That's their dream. DON'T MAKE THEIR DREAM COME TRUE.

Their nightmare is Jazz don't match.

This is awesome. (as long as Jazz say g'bye to Wes)

 

[Hopper]

For me, this is a tough one. The Jazz have a week to consider, but emotions aside, the only real question should be whether the Jazz can get just as good a player for less.

That said, it's tempting to "cut off your nose to spite your face," i.e., make Portland eat this deal (which they don't really even want) if for no other reason than to discourage them from messin with our RFA's year-in, year-out, even if you hurt yourself in the process.

I place an extremely high value on Matthews. Not because of his physical skillz (although they are considerable) but because he also seems to be an intelligent leader-type that has that toughness, competitiveness, and work ethic that is hard to find these days (Brewer and Miles sure don't seem to have it).

 

[calijazz]

I'm sure you're right. But maybe they'd be open to a Koufos/Fernandez swap. I doubt it, but if I was KOC I'd throw that at the wall and see if it stuck. If Portland is dumb enough to sign Wes to that deal, who knows what other dumb stuff they're capable of.

Considering their concerted efforts to screw us the last 2 offseasons, I don't see them giving anything of value to the Jazz. Fernandez would be a nice though...although rumors have it he wants to go back to Europe.