Chicago Bulls options in free agency on the wing: Wesley Matthews
Bringing in a true veteran standout wing defender like the 34-year-old San Antonio, TX, native and former Laker Wesley Matthews could make a lot of sense for the Bulls. Donovan has some new solid defenders in the mix in the former New Orleans Pelicans restricted free agent and point guard Lonzo Ball and former Lakers guard Alex Caruso.
But the Bulls will be relying heavily on former Boston Celtics shooting guard Javonte Green, Brown Jr., and P-Will to cover any other defensive holes that the team has beyond the guards. Adding Matthews could give the Bulls a valuable veteran presence in the locker room too that the team lost in the trades for Garrett Temple and Thaddeus Young.
It would not cost the Bulls much at all to sign Matthews. The last contract he held was for one year, worth a little north of $3.5 million with the Lakers. You have to go all the way back to the 2018-19 season with the New York Knicks to find the last time that Matthews was paid more than a minimum contract annually.
The defensive game isn’t the only reason why the Bulls should sign Matthews. He is a better offensive player on the wing, especially as a catch-and-shoot threat, compared to someone like Young or Temple.
Matthews could be a solid presence for the Bulls, especially if Donovan believes that he could switch the veteran between the two and the three effectively.