I got this of realgm.com and it looks pretty interesting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Could the Chicago Bulls still be in the case for Rashard Lewis? If you are a Bulls fan and read today's speculative article by Mike McGraw in the Daily Herald you can only hope. McGraw writes that the recent revelations that Krause was trying to trade for Toni Kukoc prior to his dealing to Milwaukee indicates that GM Jerry Krause is in fact willing to accelerate the rebuilding process, so what better way of doing so than with the 6-10 Lewis? Lewis has thus far been disappointed with the Supersonics' offer of $60 million over seven seasons, and he threatened to sign with the Mavericks for the mid-level exception if Seattle failed to add more guaranteed cash. The Sonics offer was believed to have contained incentives that could add $15 million to that total, but still Lewis was unsatisfied. Could the Bulls, who have been used and abused by free agents over past seasons, take advantage of the situation? 'Presumably, Lewis would prefer a more substantial deal than $15 million over three seasons from the Mavericks. And Seattle would seem to be better off dealing their second-best player rather than lose him for nothing,' writes McGraw. Enter the Bulls. If Lewis agreed to take $70 million over seven seasons from the Bulls then a Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer and Eddie Robinson to Seattle for Lewis and Brent Barry exchange may be possible. Seattle would receive their low post threat they so desperately need after shipping out Vin Baker to Boston earlier this summer, and Jamal Crawford finally comes home to play with his mentor Gary Payton. But would the Sonics agree to take on Robinson and the four years and $25.4 million remaining on his contract? The Bulls would get another legitimate threat to team with Jalen Rose, Jay Williams, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry to solidify their starting lineup, and they can still add Matt Harpring and a veteran guard such as Tim Hardaway or Mookie Blaylock with their exception. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crawford, Fizer, & Eddie Robinson is a hell of a lot more than the Rocks could give and the Mavs would be willing to give. It would strongly consider that move if I ran either of those teams. The Sonics don't have to worry about overpaying for Lewis and get a PG for the future, a solid front court player and an explosive swingman. The Bulls get rid of players they don't need for their future and get a really good young SF who can score and rebound no to mention an excellent shooter in Barry coming of the bench. I'm not sure if it would put the Bulls at the top of the NBA rising young teams list (IMO they still would have too many one-dimesional players) but it certanily couldn't hurt and it would give Seattle some nice players to rebuild with.
Fizer is pretty similar to KT and avg. 12 & 6 in 26min. which puts him right there w/ Baker, KT, and MoT's production. Add that to the fact they get 2 other starters and its a pretty good deal IMO.
I think the Bulls should be in on the Lewis deal too, but not the receiving end. We just need to use their extra cap space to get around the BYC complications that would arise in a sign-and-trade for Rashard Lewis.
Fizer=Corliss Williamson or KT. An undersized PF who needs to be in the East, to be a good player. Fizer would get eaten alive by the West PFs.
I agree it's a good deal for Seattle. Chicago can offer them more than the Rockets can and that doesn't bother me.
This is the most important statement in the entire article. Lewis would have to agree to it. If he wouldn't take a $70 million offer from the Sonics why would he take one form the Bulls? You guys haven't forgotten where the Bulls play have you? No way do I see Lewis agreeing to go to Chicago. He would take the $70 mil from Seattle before going to Chicago.
Fizer is now a low post threat?? Well I guess since he's on the East. Like Pam's latest playtoy said, he'll be eaten alive in the West.
Why? Clearly, he doesn't see himself as a #1 option(Or he wouldn't be looking at Dallas). So if Chicago will give him the money, why wouldn't he go there? He is close to the same age as Williams and Fizer, I think and just a few years older than Chandler and Curry. He could grow with them, and eventually be part of a very high quality team.
