http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0614/1214012.html It appears that he could be had for the right price. Do we have that right price? What would it realistically take to get him? Keep in mind, that he shot 43% from the 3 point line last year. ------------------
I followed your link to the article and was surprised to the read the "no one is untouchable" comment. That is the first time I have heard such a sweeping statement out of Seattle. Up until now, I considered Lewis untouchable. Rashard is starting the second year of a three year contract which will pay him about $4.5 mil per year, so they have no assurance he will not book for a new locale in two short years. It sounds like Seattle is getting ready to blow the team up, dump the long term vets, and start a youth movement. Hard to see them parting with Lewis, but it might be possible. Rashard is an excellent shooter, with adequate, but not impressive numbers in rebounding, steals, assists and blocks. At 36 minutes a game, he could give us 15 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and less than one block. I'll take that at the three spot. Seattle is happy with their 17 pick from last year, and might be ripe for a deal involving our three picks. They already have the 12th pick, so could have 12, 13, 18, and 23, plus a good player or two. At the first round schedule, they could pay all three picks (13, 18, and 23) and Kenny Thomas about the same money they will pay Rashard this year. If I were Seattle, I would ask for the 13, 18, and 23 picks, as well as Kenny Thomas and Moochie. I would really hate to see Moochie go, but Rashard could be our small forward for the next ten years. Were it up to me, I would trade the three picks and KT for Lewis, if the opportunity arose. Since Payton is on his way out, and Moochie is (1) known and well liked in Seattle, and (2) would bring veteran leadership to a young team, you have to expect his name to come up in any discussions with Seattle. But man, would I hate to lose the Mooch. I love that guy. Still, it would mean a role for Moochie that would be big time for him - starting and playing 36 minutes a game. I love Rashard's game, too, though and have watched him since he was in high school in Alief. He can be an all star, and at almost 21 years of age, he will only get better. Steve-Cat-Rashard is about as good a 1-2-3 punch as could be found in the league anywhere. Forget the Battier. Forget Gasol. Forget Horry. Get Lewis! ------------------
Postscript... I know that Moochie is a free agent, so he could leave no matter what we desire, but there is always the sign and trade possibility, and it is impossible to know what the Seattle cap situation will be since it is impossible to know who they will get rid of and who they will keep. ------------------
Three first round picks (in one of the deepest drafts in recent years) plus Moochie for Rashard Lewis? No way. That's way over-paying. I'd love to have Rashard Lewish, but not at that price. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
It's deep, alright. Deep in role players. Moochie is a free agent. I'm not saying he should be included. I'm saying it is likely the Sonics would express interest in him if they move Payton. Your statement presumes we have the ability to trade him as if he were under contract. Seattle can make a run at him whether we like it or not, and can sign him whether we like it or not. As for the three picks, Lewis is easily worth all three (13, 18, and 23). I see no one in that group who has the potential to make a current or long term impact on the Rockets the way Lewis could. ------------------
Once again, three draft picks, Moochie, and Kenny for Rashard? Did I miss something? Has he proven to be anything more than a role player himself? I guess I will be the first person here to welcome Rashard's mother to the BBS. Welcome PinetreeFM60 (Mrs. Lewis) to CC.net. ------------------
PineTree: And just what would you call a player who averages 14.8pts and 6.9 rebounds but only 1.6 assists? How about a good role player? Sounds pretty accurate to me. Lewis surely isn't a star yet. He was the 3rd option on a decent team this year. Rashard Lewis may be a star someday... but right now he's just a pretty decent SF. And there's *nothing* wrong with him. I'd love to have him - but don't mischaracterize him as more than he is, currently. ------------------ Lacking inspiration at the moment...
hhhmmm . . well Rashard *WAS* a role player last year he *MAYBE* more of a star this year. I think it's a time thing Rocket River ------------------
Is Mrs. Lewis having PMS or heat flashes? Grumpy. It was your scenario; I just commented on YOUR proposal. Where do you buy your $18 hamburgers? ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
Rashard would be an ideal SF for this team. How old is he now, 20? I'll take a 20 year old, 6'10'' SF who can light it up on offense, and wreaks havoc on defense. Lewis is a BYC player, and as such, will be very difficult to trade before August 1, when he becomes 75% BYC. At that point he will make 4.41288 mill, but Seattle will only be allowed to take in 3.30966 for him. Moochie won't go back to Seattle. He was there once already. They'll get a PG in return for GP instead. I think Lewis' ceiling is similar to any SFs in the draft, and he's already fulfilled some of it. I would not hesitate for a moment if it were 13, 18, KT for Lewis. For fun, let's compare year 3 numbers of TMac and Rashard Lewis- Lewis: 14.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 48% FG%, 43.2% 3P%, 1.17 SPG, .58 BPG, 1.65 TO, 34.9 MPG TMac: 15.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 45.1% FG% 27.7% 3P% 1.14 SPG, 1.91 BPG, 2.03 TO, 31.2 MPG I am *not* saying that Lewis is about to average 25 PPG next season, but that Lewis hasn't topped off his talent yet. ------------------ "I think alot of people find Cato's game to be very offensive." -aelliott, comparing the offensive skills of Kelvin Cato and Michael Olowokandi
Sign me up! I'll take Lewis. Iagree that all 3 picks, plus KT and Mooch is too much...however, two picks and a player would be allright. Why Kenny, though? We are already weak up front. of course, he is probably the most tradeable player we have at that level (would Seattle take the Wiz to gain cap room next year?). Anyway, if they want to blow up, the picks wouldn't hurt their rebuilding. Mooch won't sign and trade to Seattle. Rashard is more of a known player. He is still very young and has proven that he can provide at least supporting numbers. As others said, though, he has come no where near his peak. Such a deal would definitely be worth it, imo. ------------------ I have just realized that the stakes are myself I have no other ransom money, nothing to break or barter but my life my spirit measured out, in bits, spread over the roulette table, I recoup what I can nothing else to shove under the nose of the maître de jeu nothing to thrust out the window, no white flag this flesh all I have to offer, to make the play with this immediate head, what it comes up with, my move as we slither over this go board, stepping always (we hope) between the lines
Didn't Moochie used to be with Seattle? ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
Moochie was with Seattle in 98-99, but only in 12 games and 11 minutes per game. Mooch has made quite a name for himself since then. Lewis is far from a role player. He wouldn't need to pass much in Houston, just stand out there and drain that three. You have to like his rebounding, too. I'd gladly give up 3 picks and a re-signed Moochie for him. Rudy has other plans for those picks, though. Kenny Thomas? I don't know. If you ask me he should be starting. He is our best rebounder and most aggressive ball chaser. He gets a hand on everything, like Steve does. If he was 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heaver, he'd be awesome! As it is he is still better on the glass than Cato or Mo, and Tim Duncan said he was one of the toughtest defenders in the league. I would have to listen seriously if the Sonics called about Lewis. He's an emerging star and he would love to be back home in Houston. TRG ------------------ <A HREF="http://www.TheRocketGuy.com " TARGET=_blank>http://www.TheRocketGuy.com </A> "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon
If I was a foot taller, and 150 pounds heavier, I could stop Shaq. rimmy-Why Kenny? Because it is a near certainty that either Mo Taylor or Chris Webber will be a Rocket next year. if it's CWebb, and we have Rashard we wouldn't even need a backup 4 as Rashard would play the 4 when we go to the Mooch-Steve-Cuttino lineup. If it's Mo, we'll have another 7 mill or so that can be applied for a backup 4. I think we'll hang on to #23 for sure, to draft Ken Johnson, who like Collier is a 4/5. We've got plenty of guys that can play the backup 4, it's finding a starter that counts. ------------------ "I think alot of people find Cato's game to be very offensive." -aelliott, comparing the offensive skills of Kelvin Cato and Michael Olowokandi
NIKEstrad, Well put. I had forgotten about some of the lineup options. I am with you. ------------------ I have just realized that the stakes are myself I have no other ransom money, nothing to break or barter but my life my spirit measured out, in bits, spread over the roulette table, I recoup what I can nothing else to shove under the nose of the maître de jeu nothing to thrust out the window, no white flag this flesh all I have to offer, to make the play with this immediate head, what it comes up with, my move as we slither over this go board, stepping always (we hope) between the lines
Well gosh, I guess my cover is blown. That's it! No more jokes for Mr. Pinetree. He has been cut-off and is most certainly on double-secret probation. P.S. - when you see Rashard at the family reunion, say hello for me. ------------------
Sorry, everybody, but it doesn't look like Lewis is who the Sonics GM said "no one is untouchable." That was just a way of encouraging bids on Payton without being brazen about it. http://www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/sports/basketball/sonics/0615c13.html "We have Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason, and I am a big Olumide [Oyedeji] fan. We have to circle those players, and it has to make sense with those young guys. When we pursue [players from other teams], we have to have pursuit with those younger guys in mind. Now you have to look at it as these guys are going to be the future of the club, and we have to get them 2,000-plus minutes..." We now return you to your regularly scheduled dreamcast. ------------------
I'm with Swopa on this one. If the Sonics are really looking to rebuild around young players, then why would they think of giving up their best young player on their roster? Anyway, I don't think Lewis is worth 3 draft picks and KT. Maybe the 13 and 18 or the 13, 23 + KT. That's still overpaying either way imo and I wouldn't do it, but the rocks need to get rid of a draft pick anyway. ------------------ .,.·^*'´'|'\..........,.·^*'´¯¯¯'`*^·,...,/|'`*^·-, '|.......'|::\......,·'.....,.·:*:·,......'`i:'|.......| '|.......'|:::|.....;.......':,:::,:·.......';:|.......| '|.......|::;i - ·;i'`:,......¯¯.......,·´|::|.......| '|.......'´.......'|'i:::`*:~·.–·~^*'´: :'|::|.......'`*·-, '|........,.-:^:':'\:'`:;:: :: : : : :: ::;·'i::/`':^·.,......`'i '|..,.:'´:::::::::::'\| '`*^~·:–:·~^*'´..'|/:::::::::'`:^:., | '´:;:::::::::;:-·^*'´.....................`'*^·:;-.....:;·' ....`·;:·'´........................................'`^·:;·´ [This message has been edited by CriscoKidd (edited June 15, 2001).]
If you wish to believe dealing picks is the same as dealing picks which have played and developed, go ahead. They are hardly the same. Under your approach, Cuttino and Tyrone Washington would have the same trade value. ------------------ [This message has been edited by PinetreeFM60 (edited June 16, 2001).]
