The Milwaukee Bucks signed free agent swingman Wesley Matthews today.
And in a related transaction, the team waived rookie guard Georgios Kalaitzakis.
A 6-5 guard, Matthews averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 19.5 minutes over 58 games (10 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
“Wesley is a proven veteran whose shooting, defense and experience will help us,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “He is familiar with Coach Bud’s system and our team. We’re excited to have him back with us.”
Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Matthews would provide some additional depth in the back court for the Bucks behind starters Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen. Backup point guard George Hill, also 35 years old, has been averaging over 27 minutes per game. Pat Connaughton (28 minutes per game) has also been logging heavy minutes early in the season.”
A 12-year NBA veteran, Matthews has appeared in 849 games (739 starts) over his 12 seasons with Utah, Portland, Dallas, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles, and holds career averages of 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game. The former Marquette standout who attended high school in Madison, Wis., has also played in 52 playoff games in his career and is averaging 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals in postseason action.
Matthews will wear No. 23 with the Bucks.
