CHICAGO - After a productive 2023-24 season with the Kyoto Hannaryz of the Japan B.League, Matthew Wright recently opted out of his contract.
Free agency is usually a stressful time when the potential next destination and pay rate of a pro athlete hangs in the balance.
But Matthew doesn't have any of those pressures. If anything, he is having a blast.
READ Matthew Wright, AJ Edu weigh options after turning free agents
"It is exciting to test the market," the 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard told me via text message from New York on Tuesday after he emerged from a "handful of meetings."
With robust averages of 13.1 points, 3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while logging 27.5 minutes a game, Matthew revealed having "a handful of suitors."
"As of today," though, he clarified "we are in contract negotiations with Kyoto."
WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?
After parting ways with Octagon Sports, Wright is now being represented by Lighthouse Sports Management. He is confident that his representation will iron out the best deal possible.
"I'm not greedy" he emphasized, but at the same time Matthew is pragmatic. "Who wouldn't want more money at any job?"
Damn right.
While it's too early to tell which jersey Matthew will don next season, all signs point to a return stint to Japan.
"I've adapted to the culture. My Japanese is good and the food is amazing," he said.
In other words, the Land of the Rising Sun is a perfect fit.
HOLT YOUR FIRE.
As speculation on his future continues to percolate, Stephen Holt's camp cleared the air on Tuesday.
"Stephen has one year left in his contract with Terrafirma and he intends to honor it," super agent Marvin Espiritu, who is also FIBA accredited, told me in a telephone interview.
Holt played 13 games in the ongoing Philippine Cup where he averaged 21.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He shot 51.1 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3.
With his vastly improved play following a tepid start, Holt's name has been linked to trade rumors involving Magnolia and Ginebra.
While Espiritu clarified that there is no rule disallowing Holt from being traded right now, it's not something the No. 1 overall pick of last year's PBA Rookie Draft is losing sleep over.
Holt is currently in the US where Terrafirma has given him a full month to rest and recharge.
Whether or not the 33-year old point guard would still be a Dyip in shining armor upon his return is anybody's guess.
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