The Toronto Raptors are expected to pursue the services of Wesley Matthews in the buyout market, if he gets there, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein.
The Knicks are exploring the trade market for Wes Matthews before Thursday's 3 PM deadline, league sources say, but there are also several antsy suitors hoping Matthews makes it to the buyout market. Among them: Houston, Oklahoma City, Toronto, Philadelphia and, yes, Golden State
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 4, 2019
Houston, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia and Golden State are also expected to make a push for the 10-year veteran who is still currently a member of the Knicks. New York is — in a perfect world — looking to recoup some type of future asset in a trade before the Feb. 7 deadline but are expected to negotiate a buyout of the $18.6 million he’s expected to earn this year if they are unable to do so.
Toronto has unexpectedly struggled to shoot the ball from three-point range this season, ranking 22nd in the league at 34.5 per cent while averaging the 10th most attempts at 33.2 per game.
Matthews, 31, is a career 38.3 per cent shooter from beyond the arc on 5.6 attempts per game, currently scoring 12.9 points per game on 37.4 per cent shooting this season.
If needed, the Raptors can dip into a pro-rated amount of the taxpayer mid-level exception they have still yet to use this season, but would also have to consider the tax implications of doing so as they are already on the books for over $34 million in tax payments this season.
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