The New York Knicks have reportedly agreed to a buyout with guard Wesley Matthews, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The 32-year-old will also reportedly join the Indiana Pacers.
Wesley Matthews will be released by the New York Knicks today and plans to sign with the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium. Major wing addition for the Pacers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2019
Matthews was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis out of the Big Apple. Both Matthews and center DeAndre Jordan, who was also acquired from Dallas, were strong buyout candidates. New York has opted to keep Jordan, but will buyout Matthews and allow him to sign with a playoff contender like Indiana.
The Pacers are the not the only team in on Wesley Matthews either. The Detroit Pistons are showing strong interest in the guard, who would slot nicely on a shooting-poor team in the Motor City. Toronto, Oklahoma City, and the Los Angeles Lakers all showed interest in Matthews as well.
For Indiana, Matthews figures to get a sizeable amount of minutes at the two-guard spot. The Pacers season looked to be off the rails with the season-ending injury to shooting guard Victor Oladipo, and the team suffered through a rough patch initially. After not landing Memphis point guard Mike Conley, whom Indiana was interested in, Wesley Matthews is a fine consolation piece. The 6’7” wing can play multiple positions and gives Indiana an additional shooter. While it certainly does not replace Oladipo, the Pacers added a helpful player while not having to move any young players or draft picks.
