Oh interesting, thanks! So we could sign him to a deal before the season ends eh? Or what if we wait until the end of the season?
The NBA expanded the rosters with 2 extra players a few years ago to allow 2 way contracts, which means you can spend up to 45 days/games with the big club and the same with the Gleague, gives teams a chance to sign hidden gems and see if they develop. Now as part of that contract they can be converted to an NBA contract at any time. These contracts can be up to 2 years long, but if you are in your third year in the league, you can only sign a 1 year contract as it is only for players just starting out. I think 4th year players are ineleigible. GMat is on a 1 year Two way contract - his days with the big club are numbered unless they convert him to a full contract, usually they do that with a multi- year deal for a bargain. Danuel House was one that this happened to, a couple of years ago. Mathews being in his 3rd year, will more than likely be converted and sign a long term deal - unless the Rox get cheap and he refuses, and just plays out the rest of this year in the G-league - and becomes a total unrestricted FA..... So essentially we need to act at some point if we want to keep him. If I missed anything or misspoke please feel free to set the record straight. DD
Two way contracts are for fringe players to float between the G-League and the NBA. It adds two extra roster spots for each NBA team to have increased depth. It’s somewhat similar to the 40 man roster in MLB. Used for prospects that you want to polish in G-League that you don’t have a roster spot for and don’t want to be picked up by another team. They typically are 1-2 year contracts with a max amount of NBA games allowed, so that teams don’t cheat and just use them as full roster spots.
Mathews can only be active for 50 games with Rockets, after that will have to be sent back to Vipers or Rockets sign him to a regular contract. It's almost like an internship. Only "free" for a period then firm has to make an offer.
Matthews is making $449k right now for the year. He can play up to 50 games with the Rockets (out of 82 of course). He is basically on a the 16/17th roster slot shared between NBA and G-League. To play him for the rest of season, need to waive someone from the roster. But as to his contract extension, he is basically a FA after this season. It's going to be tricky paying him because if he continues playing like he is playing, difficult to not see a team offer him 10m/year for 3-4 years. Of course, if this is a hot streak, then any team offering that contract will be burnt. Always risky paying players like him bouncing around the league, deemed not good enough. Is his good play a mirage? Or did he suddenly get good? The sensible thing is to convert his contract to a full contract, then offer him an extension at the end of the season. Of course, this is risky since he can bolt and take another offer when he is a FA. Offering him an extension now will likely keep in Houston since other teams talking with him right now would be tampering.
Not saying he will turn out like House. But I remember a thread like this about Danuel House how long ago?
Gotcha. So they could be like, hey your 50 games are up in ... I don't know ... March and then say "Here's this 2-3 year regular deal worth X millions." ?
It would be better to lock him now while he can be paid low. 4 years 10M/year should be good for a 25 year old guy.
To be fair, the circumstances are very different. Due to injuries, we were needing some help to compete for good playoffs seeding and wondered why the hold up. (Cheap Tilman, remember?) Now, we are a rebuilding team. We aren't looking to contend. There are a lot of young players on the team we need to decide who is worthy of a future with the team.
Keeping it a 2 way deal is better for the team because it does not occupy a spot on the 15 man roster. It is more flexibility. Bingo, end of the season. I am not sure if there is something like verbal agreement in the NBA like in other sports. A handshake deal. (Ok. Allegedly there is)
Yes, I think the team will contend for a Play In spot, it is beautiful, the players are not acting like a rebuilding team at all. Can't fault them. Silas' body language was as if he has lost a game. Pretty weird.
Or send him back down to the G. I see a 3 year $4.9 million as a nice starting point. 2 year $3.8 if you want to give both the player and team breathing room. 4 year 7.9 if you want to match him with Brooks. He and Brooks have great chemistry, so playing them together has its advantages. A Q4 killer is what makes a championship team. He looks great with Silas. Brooks Mathews Green Christopher Gordon Augustin Porter Wall and Gordon have to be gone. I’m okay losing Augustin if we get a PG in a trade. Brooks, Mathews, Green, Christopher, Porter Warriors carry 7 guards, why not us? Jean Montero in the draft, keep Augustin if we need to to mentor the young blood and control the 4Q. Go get Rubio on a 2 year contract, if it fits for both, to teach Montero and Porter as the team rounds out. Take Taran Armstrong on a long shot if he declares early for the draft.
