By: Tyler Ward
Here's a roundup of what happened in the NBA on Saturday.
- Golden State signs SF Dorell Wright to a 3-year/$11 million contract
The Warriors agreed to a deal with former Miami Heat forward, Dorell Wright, earlier today.
Golden State was in need of a small forward, as they traded Corey Maggette, Kelenna Azubuike, and Anthony Randolph this summer. As of right now, he may be the starter because the Warriors have no "real" small forward under contract for next season.
Warriors GM Larry Riley promised the Warriors fans that he would bring in a small forward this offseason, albeit not the best one. However, he did deliver on his promise and brings a young player to an even younger Warriors team.
Dorell Wright came straight out of high school to the NBA and was drafted 19th overall by the Miami Heat in 2004. He is mostly known as a defensive stud than for his offensive capabilities. But, he has played somewhat sparingly in his first six seasons, playing in only 211 games (19.5 MPG). He has career averages of 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
- Portland signs SG Wesley Matthews to a 5-year/$34 million offer sheet
Lance Young, Matthew's agent, told Yahoo Sports today that the Trail Blazers have signed Wesley Matthews to an offer sheet - Utah has seven days to match the offer.
Matthews' deal is somewhat overwhelming because no one expected an undrafted rookie from last year to get a deal this big. Portland has Brandon Roy as their starter and drafted Memphis G Elliot Williams, so this move is somewhat questionable. The Blazers are now stacked at shooting guard and he will more than likely back-up All-Star Brandon Roy.
The Jazz signed the former Marquette star to a league-minimum 1-year/$457,588 contract last season. Last year's #1 overall pick, Blake Griffin, is scheduled to make $5.3 million this year, and Matthews could be earning more than him this year. He can earn more than eight times what he made last year for the upcoming season alone.
Matthews started 48 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 9.4 points per game. In ten playoff games, he upped his average to by almost four points, and finished averaging 13.2 points in those games. He is expected to be a good scorer off the bench for Portland if Utah doesn't match the offer sheet.
- Chicago signs SG J.J. Redick to a 3-year/$20 million offer sheet
One day after signing sharpshooter, Kyle Korver, the Bulls are going after another in J.J. Redick. Chicago was a horrible three-point shooting team last year, and they are hoping they can bring Redick to strengthen that need.
That Magic are not sure they want to match it, as Orlando GM Otis Smith said they will take the full seven days to decide. Redick made a little over $2.8 million last season, and is expected to make somewhere between $5-6 million this season. Orlando only has one "true" shooting guard on the roster in Vince Carter. Other than that, they are pretty thin at that position, but they would probably be able to play Mickael Pietrus at the two-guard if they don't re-sign Redick. Redick is mostly known for his three point shooting, as he has shot a career average of .392 from long range. Statistically, his best season was last year when he shot 40.5% beyond the arc and made a career high 111 three-pointers.
In 2006, Redick was taken by the Magic with the 11th overall pick. He helped the Magic reach the previous two Eastern Conference Finals, making the NBA Finals for one of those seasons. He has been primarily used as a backup, only starting 14 times in 4 seasons. Redick has a career average of 7 points per game.
- New Jersey signs C Johan Petro to a 3-year/$10 million contract
In one of the most lesser known signings of the day, the Nets signed ex-Nugget Johan Petro to a three year deal. Petro will probably battle former Duke big man, Brian Zoubek, for the backup position to Brook Lopez.
He was drafted by the Seattle Sonics in 2005 out of France. He spent three seasons in Seattle before the team moved to Oklahoma City. He played about half the season there before being traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Standing at 7'0", Petro is a defensive presence and a quality shot blocker. He really has no offensive game as of right now, but he is slowly getting better throughout the last few seasons. If he beats out Zoubek, he could get some decent minutes, especially if New Jersey decides to trade Kris Humphries.
- New Jersey signs SG Anthony Morrow to a 3-year/$12 million offer sheet
The Nets also announced today that they signed Anthony Morrow to an offer sheet. Yahoo Sports reported earlier that the Warriors do not intend to match, clearing the path for Morrow to join a young Nets team.
New Jersey is also thin at the two-guard position, with Courtney Lee being the only one officially signed for next season. Morrow will probably back up Lee and he can provide a nice spark off the bench. He is mostly known for being an explosive scorer, even dropping 37 points in his fourth career game against a lowly Clippers squad (08-09). He was signed by the Warriors for a minimum deal after he didn't get drafted out of the small university, Georgia Insitute of Technology.
This is a nice signing by New Jersey, as the Blazers just signed Wes Matthews to a 5-year/$34 million offer sheet when Morrow has statistically put up better numbers than Matthews. Morrow may be a front runner for the Sixth Man of the Year award, as he has put up superb numbers off the bench throughout his young career.
- New Orleans signs SG Luther Head to a 2-year/$2.3 million contract
This was also a lesser known deal that happened today, as ex-Illinois star, Luther Head, signed a tw-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets.
Head will likely not get much playing time, as he will be playing behind guards like Chris Paul, Darren Collison, and Marcus Thornton.
