Milwaukee Bucks: Grades for Wesley Matthews' veteran minimum deal

Milwaukee Bucks: Grades for Wesley Matthews’ veteran minimum deal

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks drives around Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 21: (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Value

Without a doubt, bringing in Matthews, on a veteran minimum deal at that, is a home run for the Bucks (the veteran’s minimum cap cost for Matthews is set at $1.62 million for next season, per Jeff Siegel’s cap sheet over at Early Bird Rights).

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted on his extended report on the agreement, Matthews was being pursued by other contenders at that same rate:

"“Matthews was a pursued player at the league’s veteran minimum among contenders, and returns to his Wisconsin roots to assume a role as part of the Bucks bench next season.”"

In terms of where this ranks in Matthews’ career earnings, it’s obviously quite the step down, especially after the former Golden Eagle was previously on a max deal that he signed in the summer of 2015. At least, that was the case before he was bought out by the Knicks after being dealt as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade that occurred midway through last season.

Now, Matthews headlines the growing list of players that have reportedly agreed to veteran minimum deals such as J.J. Barea, Troy Daniels, former Bucks player Tim Frazier and Isaiah Thomas.

Home/Bucks News