Michigan Basketball: Exhibit 10 contract likely for Charles Matthews

Charles Matthews was the lone former Michigan basketball player who entered the draft and didn’t hear his name called. His injury and offensive production decline could lead to a forthcoming Exhibit 10 contract.

Michigan basketball lost a leader, a mentor, and a defensive savant. Charles Matthews – while technically a redshirt junior – led the team as it’s lone ‘senior’ to another deep run in the tournament. While others produced incredible statistics on offense, Matthews sat back and waited for his opportunity to sink a fade away only to turn around and drain his energy on defense.

Ignas Brazdeikis and Jordan Poole fought for shots on the offensive end while Matthews game developed away from the opposing basket and turn toward his own. Knowing that he would be leaving for the NBA, he had to distinguish himself from others entering the draft. He did so with his defense, leading the team ranked second in KenPoms adjusted defensive efficiency.

“I’m going to hang my hat when I walk into the league on the defensive end.” Matthews said at the NBA draft combine.

There were many doubters this season for Charles – who originally chose Kentucky and then transferred after one year. They said he regressed or he peaked. But as time goes on, strategies change and Mathews’ role changed along with it.

“He takes everything in stride, he doesn’t really get too high or too low on everything, he’s a very humble kid and doesn’t like the limelight,” former assistant coach Luke Yaklich said. “ … But if you’re gonna try to shut any perimeter player down in the country, Charles Matthews is gonna be at the top of the list.”

While his points-per-game went down last season with Michigan basketball from 13 to 12.2, the adjusted defensive efficiency rating went down with it; going from the third best to second, slightly edged out as No. 1 in the country by Texas Tech.

As the clock winded down to the day of the draft, Charles’ stock began to rise once he highlighted his elite guarding capabilities.

Then it all came to a halt a few weeks before the draft. The unpredictable injury bug struck Matthews in the knee in the form of a torn ACL.

Had it not been for the injury, One expert believed he would have heard his name called at the NBA draft.

“I was really sad to see that Charles Matthews got injured because I think he would have been drafted. It will be interesting to see whether that injury affects that,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. “He’s well-built for an NBA player, so he’s got size, a wingspan of 6-9, 6-10. He can guard multiple positions. I always saw him as being a solid defender. He can switch. He’s got a good motor, plays really hard.”

Not the ideal position a once one-and-done aspiring player wanted to be in and now Charles is without a home and unable to play the sport he so dearly loves. A sport he dedicated his entire life to. Matthews did everything he could to stay off the streets in Chicago as a kid and he did it right. A last minute injury, however, has derailed the dream.

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Hope remains

As the NBA offseason rolls on, it will become more common to hear the term Exhibit 10 contract. Rosters shift, players declare for free agency, injuries, and pink slips are all contributing factors to contract offers for those undrafted free agents.

Exhibit 10 contract

An Exhibit 10 contract is what teams give to those fringe guys; the non-superstar potential players but the professional athletes the NBA big wigs want to see play a few more games before handing out million dollar contracts.

Essentially, an Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary, two-way contract that allows a team to hire a guy on a non-guaranteed basis with minimal cancellation fees – unlike my cell phone company.

And no, an entire NBA team cannot be on this contract, they are limited to six on their roster at any given time.

While Matthews has not signed or reportedly been offered such a contract, the practice was seen recently with UCF stand out – he stands out mostly because he’s 7-foot-6-inches but also, he’s pretty good at basketball – Tacko Fall who signed this specific agreement with the Boston Celtics.

So where’s Matthews contract?

Being apprehensive about giving someone money who can’t currently do their job is understandable and most likely the cause of the waiting period. As the ACL heals and an expected return time becomes available, the NBA executives will begin calling Adam Pensack -Charles’ agent – who will have his phone ringing off the hook.

Lockdown defenders are a unicorn in a league full of one-way stars, laying down defensively while exhausting every ounce of energy to set the single-game scoring record. Those one-way stars are job security for Matthews who is not expected to see the court until mid-season.

Patience is the key for all parties involved; patience, healing, and then a large exchange of money.