http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1526732 Rockets still a contender in Lewis sweepstakes By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Although still in the starting blocks, the Rockets remain in the running for Seattle forward Rashard Lewis, said Lewis' Houston-based agent Carl Poston on Wednesday. Poston said negotiations with the SuperSonics have not brought Lewis closer to returning to Seattle and that Lewis also is considering the Rockets and Dallas. Although Lewis was impressed with the Mavericks in a recruiting visit to Dallas and the Rockets have not made a push for Lewis, Poston said the Rockets likely would jump past Dallas if they can come to a sign-and-trade deal with the Sonics. "Our options are still open," Poston said. "That includes Dallas and Houston. (The Rockets) are still in the hunt. It doesn't look good with Seattle. Houston is still in the picture. "I think (the Rockets are) an option. They're not No. 1. What we'd really like to do is sign with Seattle. But if Seattle doesn't give him fair-market value, Houston is one of the options." As with the Mavericks, the Rockets only could offer Lewis the mid-level of exception, beginning at $4.546 million in the first season. If Lewis, 22, leaves Seattle, he would have to play three seasons for another team before he could regain his "Bird" rights, allowing his next team to go over the salary cap to re-sign him. Poston would not discuss Seattle's offer, but it is reportedly worth roughly $60 million over seven years. The Rockets' closest contract to that offer belongs to Maurice Taylor, who is one season into a six-year, $48 million contract. The SuperSonics did try to sign Taylor as a free agent in August, 2000. A sign-and-trade could be for seven seasons because Lewis officially would sign with his current team, but it would be complicated because Lewis would become a base-year player, making a swap of two players almost impossible. Poston said such a deal likely would have to involve a large number of players and likely a third team, but that the Sonics have not yet been willing to consider such options. "Dallas poses a better scenario (than the Rockets) because they are further along in their development," Poston said. "But a sign-and-trade would be better because it would give him long-term security. Does Dallas lose its advantage if Houston can do a sign-and-trade? I think he'd really like to look at Houston then. But it's a little premature to talk about that possibility. "Right now, we're just talking with Seattle. We met with Seattle. Although I thought it was a good meeting, it was below our expectations." Lewis, a 6-10, 217-pound small forward, averaged 16.8 points and seven rebounds last season, this after turning pro out of Elsik High School. He made 46.8 percent of his shots and 38.9 percent of his 3-point attempts. Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson met with Poston last week, though he did not make an official offer.
I wonder what kind of a S&T CD suggested to Posten? I wish some insider would leak some info about this. It sure has been tight lipped.
I hope we find out soon what happens. Only 2 1/2 months untill the season starts. Man it would be awsome to have lewis on our team.
I doubt they actually offered anything. Their meeting was informal and they agreed that it would take the cooperation of Seattle through a sign-and-trade to get Rashard. Even if they do a sign-and-trade, as the article said, it will take quite a few players on both sides and maybe a third team to get it done. I dunno what is worth it, but I'm not sure if I want Lewis for 7 years at $70 or $80+ million.
Jeff- What would be a good price to get lewis? I say 60mil at the most and 50mil at the least. He will never be a superstar or all star so i don't think he should get paid anywhere close to the max. If you hate me like everyone else, you won't answer my question. If you love me, you will. (Just joking)
I'm sure CD didn't actually offered anything buit I bet he at least mentioned a S&T scenerio or two that we would be willing to do. I sure would like to know which players we would be willing to part with to aquire Lewis. Also what players beside Lewis would we be interested in getting from Seatlle. Come on hottoddie whip up some trade ideas for us.
Lewis is only 22 and already avg 17 and 7. How can you say he will never be a superstar? I would take him over Odom any day of the week.
Just say no to Lewis. We do not need another egotistical basketball player. We have enough with just Steve, Cat, and Moochie. If the Rockets want a SF that can hit an open 3, bring the Bull back.
he just doesn't have the tools to do so, for some reason i think he will be a super star role player, but not a super star period.
And the kid is egotistical... why? Because he wants to be paid what he's worth? Until very recently, most people assumed he'd get a near-max contract. Then Seattle offers him something barely more than what they offered to a player with a 1/4 of his production, simply because they knew he had no other choice? That's not egotistical, he just is upset at what he feels is disloyalty. Especially when it seems there was an implicit promise in his last contract when he turned down more money to play for Seattle. I think Lewis is very justified in feeling the way he does. Besides, we lack a single shooter on our roster. (Rice isn't a shooter, since I doubt he'll play more than 30 games ).
I'd say paying a player that is in no means considerd a superstar (KG, Ducan, Shaq, and etc) let alone an all-star the max is too extreme. If he showed something extra when he was in the playoffs, maybe. But he did squat when his team was up vs the Spurs. (though he was injured) I mean the guy compares himself to Kobe Bryant out of all people. Because he had similar stats as Kobe at his age, he thinks he should get a smilar contract. If your asking me, thats pretty egotistical. e·go·tist Pronunciation Key (g-tst, g-) n. 1. A conceited, boastful person. 2. A selfish, self-centered person. Yeah, he falls under that...
Nothing Rashard's done has been egotistical, by pro athlete standards. He passed up a better deal because Seattle said they'd be there for him this year. They're not. And he's not handling it badly. To the credit of Rockets management, they would have bit the bullet and honored their word. And we've got the scars to prove it. As for what he's worth, he's not worth max now. That's obvious as no one's offering it. I don't feel that good about offering him more than Seattle is right now, frankly. I think we've got three max players to worry about in Steve, Ming and Eddie. I'm not a cap expert, but I'm pretty sure that accounts for 75% of the cap. And we've got to take care of Cat and role players too. We've got to pay nine to twelve (with IR) players with the remaining 25%. I don't know if I want to promise Rashard 10 mil of that relatively small pie before I know what I'm doing with Cat long-term (and Boki and KT). Not to mention contracts that will still be on the books, like Cato's and Mo's and Cat's. As for who we'd part with in a S&T, it seems to me Mo Taylor would have to be part of it. He's the only guy we'd part with who both has value and helps to match the salary. I doubt Rice and KT would do the trick, though that's a possibility too. I think Cat's untouchable in exchange for a Rashard type player. As part of a deal for Garnett maybe, but not less than a real star. That leaves Taylor, Thomas, Rice and Cato. Anyone else either lacks value or salary. All things considered, I'd take any two of Rice, Cato and/or Kenny for Rashard. Anything less favorable to us, no thanks. I'd rather stand pat.
Maybe I'm crazy and I'm sure I'll get flamed, but here goes. I'm not convinced that Boki can't play SG. He's got quicks and he's explosive. Not only that, but the guy is committed to defense. I like a lineup of Ming, Griffin, Lewis, Boki and Francis. I think that's a really good young lineup and one that can gel as they mature. Personally I think that Cuttino is one of the most overrated players in NBA history. If Boki can play SG I say we trade Cuttino while his trade value is at its max.
You can bet no trade happens involving Cat for Lewis unless it also includes Brent Barry or some other starter quality shooting guard. We're not starting a rookie at the two, because we don't have to. We could go as is. As for the future... If Boki's a starter caliber player, why do the trade at all? Leave him at his natural position and stick with the conventional wisdom starting lineup of the future: Francis Mobes Boki Griffin Yao With a bench of Taylor, Thomas, Rice, Cato, Moochie, Morris (or whatever some of them might yield in trade). I'll take that over promoting Boki to starter out of position (especially out of the gate). Mobley's good for 20ppg and he's not an all-star. That's easy math that equals not overrated. BTW, if the Rockets weren't committed to Mobley in the long term, would they have drafted a 3? There were better 2's on the board than Nachbar.
I see your point Batman, but I have one thing to add. We needed a 3 really badly this year, and we didn't think we had a shot at Lewis. Now it looks like he may fall into our lap. I think he'd be a fantastic acquisition, and at that point we need to find someplace to play Boki. If that place is the SG spot so be it. I think he will be an all around better ballplayer than Mobley. I could be wrong though. I'm just giving my analysis.
I wouldn't go as so far to stay that Cuttino Mobley is overated, especially with the Pippen's and Szczerbiak's in the league today. If anything, Cuttino is underated. He took a huge paycut to play for the Rockets, and has put every ounce of his heart into each game that he has played. Anyways, I think Boki would play better at the SF position as a slasher/3 point threat.
Why can't you guys see that this deal is dead? There's no way we're trading Mo Taylor right now. Look how hard he's working. No way at all we'll trade, and if we tried, no one would take him. Seattle have James, Drobnjak and Booth at C, so no WAY they take Cato. Which leaves us trading what contract exactly? It leaves Rice, and that's it. But we would be fools to do that, if it's even possible under the CBA rules, because we would be putting ourself in the same situation as the Clippers. At some point, Ming, Griffin, Francis, Cato, Lewis, and Boki's huge deals are going to have to coincide. It AIN'T happening. The sign and trade is ruled out. About signing him for the MCE. First of all, some have suggested we will eclipse the luxury tax limit if we do? Even if we don't. I'd only be willing to give it to him for ONE season, and NO, absolutely NO, promise of a big payday. He simply doesn't deserve anything more than an AVERAGE of 7M a season, over 7 years. That's what he's worth. He's never going to be a good defensive player. Don't ask me how I know. it's the same way I knew Keith Van Horn wasn't ever going to be "The Glove II". H'es not a tough player, no post game. His ball handling is terrible, although THAT, I admit, he will improve on vastly. If we're willing to shell out luxury tax money, I'd much rather spend it on someone who will give us a whole new dimensionS. Soemone like Odom, who would've been the perfect complement to our backcourt, as well as to our PF. Unfortunately, the opportunity went by, as the Clips traded Miles, so Odom is now a key player.
His agent doesn't seem to think so. Why does everyone assume Griffin, Ming and Boki will all command huge/max deals in the future? Yes it's likely but it's not a sure thing any of them will be great players. You can't say lets not spend the money on a good player now because we have some young players that are going to be allstars and command the max in the future. Thats silly!
You can't have too much talent. After all, you can always trade it, later . In any event, in addition to Francis... I have trouble believing that more than 1 of the other guys will ever be worth the max. Two at most. And that's doubtful.
