Portland Trail Blazers pursue Ray Allen after Wesley Matthews’ injury
By Sam Richmond
The Portland Trail Blazers made a call to Ray Allen’s agent after Wesley Matthews tore his achilles on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Portland Trail Blazers were dealt a huge blow on Thursday night, as starting shooting guard Wesley Matthews suffered a torn achilles injury that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
In need of another 2-guard following the injury, the Trail Blazers reached out to none other than Ray Allen, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
"In the wake of Wesley Matthews tearing his Achilles tendon on Thursday night, Blazers general manager Neil Olshey made a call to agent Jim Tanner on Friday morning on the chance that Allen might reconsider his decision to sit out the 2014-15 season, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
More from NBA
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- 3 reasons the Blazers should trade Damian Lillard to the Heat and 2 reasons they shouldn’t
- LeBron James, Giannis, Damian Lillard all want that Mbappé money
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- NBA rumors: Pistons determined to trade Killian Hayes
Allen would certainly be an interesting addition for Portland. The Trail Blazers do an outstanding job of creating open three-point attempts (they take the fourth most threes per game in the league), which would make them an appealing destination for the sharpshooting Allen.
Also, the Trail Blazers currently find themselves with a 41-19 record, the third best mark in the Western Conference. For Allen, who presumably wants playing time and to play for a contender, Portland makes plenty of sense.
Unfortunately for the Trail Blazers, Wojnarowski is reporting that Allen is not interested in joining Portland.
"Nevertheless, Tanner informed the Blazers that Allen, 39, remains intent on sitting out the season and wouldn’t consider the possibility of joining Portland – or any other team, sources told Yahoo Sports."
Allen released a statement earlier this week saying that he will not play this season and is still considering the idea of playing next year.
Allen last played for the Miami Heat in 2013-14; he averaged 9.6 points (37.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc) and 2.8 rebounds per game. Allen has played 18 years in the NBA and has career averages of 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Matthews has been in the NBA for six years — he played for the Utah Jazz in his rookie year and has spent the past five seasons with the Trail Blazers. He averaged 15.9 points (38.9 percent shooting from three), 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle