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Portland Trail Blazers: Three ex-Blazers to bring back in 2021

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after making a three point basket against the Orlando Magic in the first half during Game One in the first round of the NBA playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after making a three point basket against the Orlando Magic in the first half during Game One in the first round of the NBA playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Former Portland Trail Blazer one – Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews recently completed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2019/20 NBA season. Though the Bucks post-season was a failure in many ways, Matthews can be commended for playing well throughout the regular and post-season.

He was the Bucks only plus forward defender in the playoffs, and he shot around 40 percent in these games as well.

At 34-years-old, Matthews is past his best in terms of being a full-time rotation player, but as a backup two / three, he can still play between 25 and 35 minutes a night. He may average just 27 in a season next year, but he could play more on occasion if need be.

Matthews is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in NBA History, ranking 25th all-time in makes. The best three-point shooters are ones that can shoot a volume of threes while also keeping their efficiency at an above-average level.

Matthews ticks both of these boxes as a career 38.1 percent shooter.

As a defender, Matthews can guard the bigger threes and fours in the league. He isn’t quick enough to guard ones or some twos anymore, but he can cover someone like Jimmy Butler.

He won’t lock a guy like Butler down, but he will slow that type of player down and not get completely cooked.

I think Matthews value is higher than the minimum for 2021. I think he could command between $3 and $5 million, but for no more than two years. Matthews is in the position in his career where he has made a lot of money as well, and he can take a discount to play for a contender if he decides.