<i>Sonics' Lewis still on rise After Rockets snub, former Elsik star bids to join NBA elite By JOSEPH DUARTE Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Nearly four years later, Rashard Lewis has buried the past. <b>Could the Rockets be in Lewis' future? "I'll most definitely consider them," said Lewis, who can opt out of his contract with the Seattle SuperSonics at the end of this season. "What happened in the past is the past. I've put that behind me."</b> Snubbed by the hometown Rockets (they had three first-round draft picks) in the 1998 draft, the 6-10 forward has found a home in the Pacific Northwest. Now 22, Lewis has experienced a steady progression in the four seasons since he left Elsik High School for the NBA. Seattle coach Nate McMillan thought so much of Lewis that he made him a co-captain along with Gary Payton before the start of the season. With the added responsibility comes added pressure and lofty labels such as superstar-in-the-making. But after they selected the Texas prep star with the 32nd pick in the draft, will the Sonics see Lewis' best years? Lewis signed a three-year, $11.9 million deal in 2000 that allows him to opt out after the second season when he becomes a max-out free agent. He hasn't ruled out staying in Seattle, but he plans to explore his options this summer. <b>Unless he is willing to take considerably less or a sign-and-trade can be worked out, Lewis may be too pricey for the Rockets this offseason. The maximum the Sonics can offer is approximately $95 million over seven years. The Rockets, meanwhile, have no salary-cap room available with big money tied up in players such as Maurice Taylor, Glen Rice and Kelvin Cato. This summer is also the first chance to extend the contract of Steve Francis. "I'll let the summer take care of the decision," Lewis said. "I have to do the right thing for me. I have to decide on the best situation for me. I want to be with an up-and-coming team." </b> He easily could be talking about the Sonics, who enter tonight's game against the Rockets at Compaq Center as one of the NBA's hottest. Seattle is holding onto the No. 7 playoff seed in the Western Conference. Since Dec. 11, when they fell to 10-15, the Sonics are 26-12. "It's very exciting when you're winning games," Lewis said. "When you are competing for the playoffs, that's the best part." Lewis does not regret his decision to declare early or his dropping to the second round of the draft. Instead, he looks at the turn of events as motivation to become one of the NBA's budding stars. Lewis played in just 20 games as a rookie. He played in all 82 during the 1999-2000 season, averaging 8.2 points and 4.1 rebounds. His coming-out party may have been in the playoffs when he averaged 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds against the Utah Jazz. He averaged 14.8 points in 78 games last season, and this season he is the Sonics' second-most consistent player (17 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting) behind Payton. He has been compared to Orlando's Tracy McGrady because both players displayed exceptional talent at a young age. "I feel like I've been progressing well since I first came into the NBA," Lewis said. "I feel a lot more comfortable." Lewis admits there is still much room for improvement. Scouting reports say he needs to work on his ball handling and creating off the dribble. His defense also needs work. Lewis was always considered a solid mid-range shooter, but his biggest strides might be in his development as one of the league's top 3-point threats. Entering Monday night's game at Dallas, Lewis had converted 117 of 298 3-point attempts (39.3 percent). Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has monitored Lewis' progress with interest. "He's good now. The sky's the limit for him," Tomjanovich said. "He's athletic and can shoot the ball. The kid's got a lot of heart. He's got a lot of pride." Tomjanovich is also impressed with the way Seattle has been winning. Rather than slump with the loss of key players to injuries, the Sonics are making a serious run at a 50-win season and their second playoff berth in three years. And they are doing so with a smaller lineup. "After some injuries, people might have said they would be one of the teams that would have dropped down," Tomjanovich said. "They've done a great job of separating themselves and getting into solid playoff position. I think they are playing as well as anybody." </i>
Glen Rice/Moochie/Mo for Lewis/Williams/Mason and the Sonics next 10 #1 picks. I think it works under the cap.
I think he'd be a welcome addition to our team...I hope we make a run at him...unlike when we had a shot at C Web.
I do not see anything we have that Seattle will want to do a sign and trade. For us to dump salaries for large garbage contracts like a Vin Baker- we would have to take on major liablilities. Wally Walker wants to keep Lewis. Lewis wants to do what is best for Lewis. We will be paying now for those frivolous moves we made signing -taking on the Glen Rice contract, and Moochie. I support the Mo Taylor contract. If Lewis is averaging 17 points- Are they in the paint? Does he give us a low post presence?????? This is all academic- we cannot afford him - we do not have anything to deal. I'm sorry - I would like to get a tall player who could help us inside.
I won't hold my breath on this one. The outside shot is that Mo Taylor has trade value and the Sonics would still want him...but alas, his recent injury. It would take a lot to get Rashard, perhaps including our lotto pick. Rashard would have to say, Well, I'll just sign with Chicago or Washington straight up, unless ya'll deal me to such-and-so team. Nope. 'T'would be nice. But the Rockets have been one of those teams many times ("I'll go sign with Houston, the Rox have interest").
If Rudy was so impressed with him why didn't we draft him? Bryce Drew versus Rashard Lewis. Who was asleep at the wheel on that one. Imagine Francis, Lewis, Mobley, Griffin, and MoTaylor. Killer starting 5 with Cato, Moochie, Walt, Rice, etc.. coming off the bench.
Unfortunately, we would probably have to take Baker along with Lewis in any deal and we need Baker as much as we need to run the table on our remaining games.
Not sure if the Rockets could get Lewis in the offseason but it sure would look nice to have two athletic forwards in 6'10" Rashard Lewis at SF and 6'10" (and still growing) Eddie Griffin at PF. Nice forward combo there! They along with a young Francis and Mobley could be the cornerstones of the francise for a LONG time! All you would need was a decent brusing rebounder at center and the starting line up would be rock solid! Again, not sure if Lewis would come to Houston for a lot less money or if we could really work out a sign and trade for him but he would be a nice asset! Chris
WRONG SORRY NO WAY NO HOW YOU BRING LEWIS TO THIS TEAM AND WERE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. Lewis is better off staying a Sonic alot of you people just want lewis here because he's from Houston sorry but I do not forsee Lewis and Cat and Francis getting along.
<B>If Rudy was so impressed with him why didn't we draft him? Bryce Drew versus Rashard Lewis.</B> Because, at the time, we were still in the Olajuwon/Barkley era and were trying to put together the last pieces for a championship run that year. Lewis contributes now, but he would not have been able to help the team 4 years ago. They obviously hoped Drew would be able to, but it just didn't work out.
Care to elaborate on how you are "in the know" as far as who Steve and Cat would and wouldnt get along with?
Folks, Mr. Lewis can stay where he is. This in not a knock on him. I just think that sometimes we want to go and get everybody under the sun. For a team that has a big hole in the middle, why would we give up MoT for Lewis. If Lewis ends up on this team it would be because he wanted to come here so badly and not because this team goes after him. He will soon find out the team cannot afford him. I would not be sulking as I believe we have the goods and the needed acquisitions should be bulk and size. There is still a need to replace the Dream. On a related note, the more I think about the more scared I am getting of losing KT. We just continue to underestimate his worth.
Two things: Rashard is not coming to Houston because the Rocks can't afford him, and: is no one else disgusted by Rudy's comments regarding the Sonics?? You know, about how they've battled through injuries and, despite those setbacks, are playoffs-bound?? In other words, what he should be saying about his own team if only he had a clue how to coach anymore??
Yeah, I'm fuming. Payton hasn't missed a game all year. Francis has missed 21. Switch the two situations and the Rockets are ahead of Seattle.
I don't want Lewis. He's another of those players that wants a max contract but isn't really a franchise player. A few years from now, he'll be a salary burden wherever he ends up.
If Rashard wants to be frozen out, and be relegated to jump shooting, then he should come to us. Look, I want him to be a Rocket as bad as anyone, but he would not be a good fit here, in the sense that he would be our 3rd option, as well as the fact that he wouldn't be allowed to do anything but shoot 3s all night. Basically, he'd be a rich man's T-Mo. Rudy's system basically freezes out the SF and makes him a spot up shooter. I'd imagine that Lewis wants to go somewhere that gives him the ball in his hands. I don't see Mobley being willing to be the 3rd banana. Personally, I don't blame many top tier FA's for overlooking the Rockets if they want to be in position to have the ball.
FYI Sea is 26-12 in their last 38 games, since going on a 10-15 start. I don't think this Rockets team would have gone on a 26-12 stretch at any point in this season.
