Free agency is just now kicking off, with the Lakers making their first signing already. Shams Charania and The Athletic report that the Lakers have now signed Milwaukee Bucks forward, Wes Matthews. He will be signing a one-year deal for $3.6 million (this may be the bi-annual exception for the Lakers’ salary cap).
Free agent Wes Matthews plans to sign with the Lakers, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 20, 2020
The Los Angeles Lakers and Wesley Matthews are a match made for each other. Matthews is a veteran that’s in search of title contention. The Lakers had a great need for wing depth after some free agent moves left their cupboard bear. The deal was put in place after free agency began.
As mentioned above, the Lakers lost two starting perimeter defenders in Avery Bradley and Danny Green. Matthews steps in as the archetype of a “3 & D” to play around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He will simply have two jobs which are defending and knocking down open threes.
Matthews just started 67 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last year, helping secure the league’s best record. He’s a career 38.1 percent from long range, a much-welcomed tool to the Lakers’ offense. The move also provides the team with a veteran presence alongside James and Davis. Matthews has played in and started 46 playoff games.
Wes Matthews averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists for the Milwaukee Bucks last season. Welcome to Los Angeles, Wes!
