On Mavs guard-forward Wesley Matthews

The Mavs won just 24 games last season. But then they added veteran center DeAndre Jordan and drafted a very experienced rookie in Luka Doncic. Interesting moves for a team that could have headed towards a total rebuild. The core of the team right now includes Dennis Smith Jr, Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes, Jordan, and if he pans out, Doncic. And old Dirk Nowitzki, riding out his legendary career. As for Matthews, here’s the Dallas Morning News examining his present and possible future:

The iron man reputation may have caught up with Matthews a little last season. But he’s still expected to be a 30-minute-plus heavy lifter. His job as a spot-up 3-point maker won’t change. But the intriguing thing about this season is that the combination of him fronting perimeter scorers with DeAndre Jordan waiting to protect the rim should only make the Mavericks’ defense, which wasn’t terrible last season, even stronger. Another consideration for this season: Matthews is certain to be a source of periodic trade speculation because of his expiring contract and the fact that he can shoot the ball. Those are two commodities that contending teams can always use.

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Heat await Dwyane Wade decision

Here’s the Miami Herald with the latest on Dwyane Wade, who may retire, or may play another season with the Heat. There’s no reason to think he’ll have a big impact on their win-loss total this season, but it would still be nice to see him head out there for another season before calling it a career:

With the Sept. 25 start of training camp inching closer, the Miami Heat still has one open spot on its 20-man preseason roster.

It will remain open as Dwyane Wade decides whether to retire or return for a 16th NBA season. And on Thursday night, Wade made it clear that he still hasn’t made up his mind.

“I wish I had that answer for you. I don’t have it today,” Wade said alongside Heat forward Udonis Haslem during an appearance to celebrate their new restaurant, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen, in Aventura that’s scheduled to open Sept. 20.

Wade does know if he decides to continue his playing career, it will be with the Heat.

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Jabari Bird facing serious legal situation

Here’s the Boston Herald with the latest on new Celtics guard Jabari Bird, who is in a serious legal situation right now:

The Celtics aren’t trifling with diplomatic niceties and cagey legalese in their handling of the litany of charges being brought against reserve guard Jabari Bird.

“Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident,” the team said in a statement released yesterday. “The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird.”

This should not be read as a judgment against Bird, a 24-year-old California native who appeared in 13 games with the Celtics last season and this past July signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the team. The courts, after all, will rule on innocence or guilt. Bird was arraigned in Brighton District Court yesterday following a weekend arrest in which he was charged with domestic assault, strangulation and kidnapping stemming from an alleged incident involving a 20-year-old woman.

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