Blazers interested in Jazz’s Matthews, source says

The Portland Trail Blazers have made initial contact with Utah Jazz guard Wesley Matthews, a source informed The Columbian on Thursday.

Matthews is a restricted free agent. Utah holds a qualifying offer worth $937,195 for the 2010-11 season.

“It’s going to take a while for it to play out,” the source said.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Matthews averaged 9.4 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the field during his rookie season with the Jazz. The former Marquette standout started 48 regular-season games while playing in all 82. He then started all 10 of Utah’s playoff games, averaging 13.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Matthews’ talents would fall in line with Portland’s desires to sign a low-money free agent who can play the wing position while improving the team’s perimeter shooting.

News of the Blazers’ interest in Matthews was originally reported by Yahoo! Sports.