Matthews sticks with reeling Mavs after Jordan rejection

FILE - In this May 11, 2015, file photo, Dallas Mavericks basketball team owner Mark Cuban answers questions from the audience before President Barack Obama spoke in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. The NBA has fined Mark Cuban for commenting about the team's agreements with DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews during the league's free agent moratorium. NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed the penalty, which ESPN.com reported Tuesday, July 7, 2015, was for $25,000. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster), File FILE - In this May 11, 2015, file photo, Dallas Mavericks basketball team owner Mark Cuban answers questions from the audience before President Barack Obama spoke in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. The NBA has fined Mark Cuban for commenting about the team's agreements with DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews during the league's free agent moratorium. NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed the penalty, which ESPN.com reported Tuesday, July 7, 2015, was for $25,000. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster), File

By Associated Press July 9, 2015 4 min read

DALLAS (AP) – Mavericks owner Mark Cuban gave free agent guard Wesley Matthews an out after accepting the reality that DeAndre Jordan was spurning Dallas to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Matthews turned him down, deciding to stand by his agreement to sign with a franchise that could be reeling for a long time after the 6-foot-11 center’s stunning reversal.

“I can’t print his exact response, but suffice it say he is excited to play for our Mavs,” Cuban wrote to fans on his Cyber Dust app. “Wes Matthews is exactly the type of player we want in a Mavs uniform and our fans will love him.”

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said Cuban alone would address free agency with reporters. The owner wasn’t available Thursday, the first day free agents could sign contracts.

“There will be a time when I detail everything I know about the last 48 hours,” Cuban wrote.