Wes Matthews off to Dallas with Deandre

Portland lost another key to their team when Matthews agreed to a four year-$52 million deal with the Mavericks, after turning down a more lucrative offer (4/65) from the Kings. $13 million a year for Matthews could wind up being the bargain of the entire free agency. Matthews was likely in line for a max contract before tearing his achilles, and derailing the Blazers season in the process. At 28 years old, Matthews is good shooter and a plus defender, the epitome of a “3 and D” guy. Alongside Chandler Parsons, Matthews will space the floor for the Mavericks around Dirk’s midrange game and newly acquired Deandre Jordan in the middle.

The Mavericks are still several pieces away from competing for titles, but snatching up Jordan and Matthews could make them the winners of free agency. The Mavs had cap room to spend this offseason with the departures of Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis, and Rajon Rondo, and they used it on younger players who fit roles they needed. Though the Mavericks will likely not contend this season due to what will likely be shaky point guard play and a very shallow bench, the Mavs have set themselves up for success next summer. With the cap set to jump, the Mavs will be able to add the pieces they are missing from this year’s team and make one or two final pushes for a title before Dirk retires.

The Summer of Vivek Continues

After striking out with Monta Ellis, Tobias Harris and Wes Matthews, the Kings finally landed a free agent when Rajon Rondo agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. We all know how bad his tenure in Dallas was, but the Kings must have remembered his days in Boston when they committed eight figures to him. We know what Rondo is at this point in his career. He is a point guard who can’t shoot, but also no longer attacks the rim hard. He can be a strong defender when he wants to be and he can run an offense when he feels like it. Rondo is probably past his days of diving on the floor recklessly and throwing up 13-12-15 nights, but if he wants to keep himself in the league he will need to have a good year in Sacramento. This is a 'prove-it' deal for Rondo, who hopes he can thrust himself back into the ranks of the NBA's elite.

From Sacramento’s side, this is an interesting signing. Though many expected Rondo to wind up in Sacramento, a lineup with Cauley-Stein, Boogie, and Rondo is not all that appealing, despite being surrounded by Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore, both average three point shooters. Teams sag way off Rondo when he has the ball which clogs the paint. This will be even more pronounced in Sacramento because of the inside positioning that Willie and Boogie will have on offense. Sacramento picked up Marco Belinelli on a three year-$19 million deal to help with these spacing issues, but it’s tough to imagine Belinelli playing heavy minutes. The Kings also gave Kosta Koufos $33 million over four years. Ahh, the Kings...