
Overall grade
While the more pressing free agent signings have been mostly tied up, aside from what two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is going to do, all teams around the league are starting to scour the bargain bin to either find serviceable contributors or diamonds hiding in the rough.
Milwaukee had a leg up on most NBA teams after addressing their many free agency concerns and it’s exactly why taking a one-year flyer on Matthews at the veteran’s minimum looks to be a bit of masterwork by general manager Jon Horst and his entire front office.
The financial value is paired with what Matthews brings to the Bucks on the court, considering his long-standing shooting pedigree and defensive toughness.
As we’re already seeing in the aftermath of his reported deal, Matthews is not a like-for-like replacement for Brogdon as the latter is more of a threat on the ball (though, Matthews is a capable ball handler in his own right).
Both will be tied together, considering they essentially swapped places with one another in free agency, but there was certainly a world where the Bucks could have had Brogdon and Matthews on the same roster, which would have certainly brought the Bucks over the luxury tax. But that’s a topic for another day that will be rehashed over and over in Bucks fan circles, I’m sure.
Adding a veteran contributor who still has plenty to give, fits right in with the Bucks’ supporting cast and can a give a little mentorship to a promising, mostly green crop of wings is certainly a good thing.
To do so at a very valuable price sends this move over the top for Horst and co. and we’ll be looking forward to seeing Matthews let loose on his trademark bow and arrow three-point celebration in Fiserv Forum over many nights next season.
BTBP Final Grade: A