CHICAGO - With his stock rising following a star turn at the 2023-24 Japan B.League season, Matthew Wright continues to get a myriad of offers for his services.
But after mulling his options, including a deal reported to be worth between $40,000 to $45,000 a month according to sources, Wright is almost ready to commit.
"I have narrowed my choices down to two from about four," he told me via text message on Thursday night.
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Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing contract talks, Matthew was mum on which teams have the chance to retain his services.
But it is now clear that the 6-foot-4, 200-pound point guard is leaving the Kyoto Hannaryz where he averaged 13.1 points, 3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this past season.
Although he is very much enjoying his time in Japan where he is patiently nurturing the growth of his game, the 33-year old Fil-Canadian remains a man with a plan.
PBA RETURN.
Wright told me that in "2 or 3 more years," he could return to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA.
While three more years seem so distant, time does fly and at 36 by then, Matthew would still have a lot to give to basketball.
Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin, in a telephone interview, said he is enthused about the possibility of the return of a "superstar."
Team manager Paolo Bugia, meanwhile, reiterated that Matthew "is always welcome here back home."
In a January 2024, interview Wright expressed his affinity for the Fuel Masters.
"A part of me is still with Phoenix. I gave six years of my life with them and I still keep in touch with them."
Hopefully, the reunion comes to fruition.
As they say, not only does absence make the love grow fonder, it also makes it sweeter the second time around.
DEAFENING SILENCE.
In the aftermath of a horrible trade the team proposed to the league office, sending Rey Nambatac to TNT for Kib Montalbo, Blackwater is oddly quiet.
Multiple attempts, phone calls and text messages, to contact coach Jeff Cariaso were left unanswered as of posting time.
When I interviewed coach Jeff shortly after he was hired last April 4, I got the impression that he would have a say on personnel moves as he envisioned building a new culture anchored on winning.
Apparently, what was allegedly promised to him by the management now appears to be just lip service.
Giving away Nambatac, a full-time starter, is the equivalent of roster hara-kiri.
If this kind of damning, unreciprocated talent migration persists, Blackwater will become a place where coaching careers go to die.
COLUMN: Cariaso given 'free hand,' assured Blackwater will use No. 2 pick
As one smart man told me, "if Jeff is worth his salt as a coach, he should resign."
Damn.
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