ESPN Insider : Lewis getting "major interest" from Rox

Rashard Lewis looking for some love
by Chad Ford
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All Rashard Lewis wants right now is a little love, a little loyalty and a whole lot of money.

The Sonics have been holding out on all three. And it could cost them.

A Sonics source confirmed to ESPN Insider Tuesday that there is a growing chance that Lewis may leave the team. Lewis, according to the source, has told teammates that negotiations with the Sonics are "no longer about money," and he will seek to find a better situation for himself elsewhere.

"At this point it's about loyalty for Rashard," the source told Insider. "He feels he was very loyal to the Sonics two years ago when he decided to give up all that money and re-sign with the team that gave him his first chance. Now, he feels betrayed. He absolutely would sign somewhere else for less money if the thought it was a better situation for him. Absolutely."

While the Sonics can still, by far, offer Lewis the most money, they haven't. Lewis has yet to receive an "official" offer. However, the team has floated numbers on a seven-year deal that's reportedly worth between $49 and $52 million. That's well below the $90 million Lewis' camp thinks he deserves. But money isn't the only factor.

Lewis is also angry over the lack of attention and respect the Sonics have paid him. The team convinced him in the summer of 2000 to turn down a six-year, $56 million offer from the Raptors with the understanding that he could make bigger money and have a brighter future in Seattle.

Back then, Lewis was averaging just 8.2 ppg. Last season, his best as a pro, he averaged 16.8 ppg and 7 rpg. While the Sonics have attempted to explain to him the new financial realities around the league, Lewis isn't buying it.

That's why he'll fly to Dallas (the Tacoma News Tribune reported it Monday and the Dallas Morning News confirmed it in today's editions) to meet with Mark Cuban. The Mavs don't particularly need Lewis, but he's a hell of a luxury and they would be more than willing to throw their full mid-level exception his way.

While the Sonics have played coy, Cuban is the master of woo. The Mavs have contacted local radio stations hyping his arrival, cheering fans will greet Lewis when he arrives at the airport, and Cuban plans to give Lewis a whirlwind tour through the Mavs' private plane, state-of-the-art training facilities and high-tech locker room. In other words, the Mavs plan to wine and dine Lewis. The Sonics, on the other hand, have done nothing.

"Rashard can be a great addition to the team," Cuban told the Tacoma News Tribune. "He knows we put winning over everything. And given that Rashard is so young, although we might not be able to get as large a contract here for the first several years, he is young enough to earn another full-length contract at a time when the cap will be much higher. And hopefully he will have a ring to go with it. We are excited for his visit and can't wait for him to see the facilities, and most importantly meet the great people we have working here."

The Mavs are planning on making his trip dramatic because it will take some overwhelming emotion to counter what the Sonics are offering financially. The most the Mavs, or any other team besides the Clippers for that matter, could give him is a six-year, $35 million contract. More likely, Lewis would take a three-year, $15 million deal so he could get his Bird rights. The Sonics are reportedly upping their offer to seven years, $60 million. Lewis would take a major hit by bolting.

If Lewis is serious, the Mavs won't be the only team that tries to get in on the action. Insider has learned that the Bulls, 76ers, Raptors, Jazz, T-Wolves, and yes, the Knicks, have all inquired about Lewis the last few days. And the Rockets hold the ultimate trump card; they're the team Lewis wants to play for. They too are now showing major interest in Lewis. The Sonics could be in real trouble.

Insider made a few calls around the league Tuesday night and gives you a breakdown of each team's chances.

Mavs: They're flashy and would give Lewis a great shot at an NBA title. But he'd be playing fourth or fifth fiddle on a stacked Mavs team. With Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Raef LaFrentz all looking for their shot, Lewis would have to settle for the scraps. Would his value really be any higher in three years? It's questionable. Remember, Texas doesn't have an income tax, which doesn't hurt things.

Bulls: Jerry Krause has been trying to work out a trade for a sweet-shooting small forward. He's been rebuffed by Orlando in his quest to get Mike Miller and in Philadelphia in his quest to add Matt Harpring. Lewis would come at the same price and has a much bigger upside. His size, shooting touch and experience could be the missing piece to the Bulls puzzle. A starting five of Jay Williams, Jalen Rose, Lewis, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry would be one of the scariest in the league in two more years.

76ers: Larry Brown is constantly trying to upgrade the small forward position and Lewis would be a great fit -- an unselfish second scorer to complement Allen Iverson. The only problem the Sixers will encounter is clearing away enough money to sign Lewis. They've already reached a handshake agreement with Greg Buckner that will give him much of their mid-level exception. They are trying to work out a sign-and-trade with Dallas to so they can keep their exception, but now, with the Mavs in the hunt for Lewis as well, do you really think they'll cooperate?

Raptors: They just told Keon Clark they were out of money, but the team is seriously considering making an exception for Lewis. They were heartbroken that he turned down their offer two summers ago and still believe he would be the perfect fit in Toronto. His ability to score would take much of the pressure of Vince Carter to do everything offensively. Lewis would force the Raptors into luxury-tax land, but he also could push them into the NBA Finals.

Jazz: They're trying to get younger and already have one of the better young nucleuses in the league. Andrei Kirilenko, DeShawn Stevenson and Raul Lopez all have the potential to be stars. Lewis' versatility would allow him to fit wherever the Jazz need him. Once Stockton and Malone hang them up, this team would be his and Kirilenko's.

T-Wolves: They made a big run at Devean George, and Lewis is even a better prize. The addition of Lewis would force the Wolves to move Kevin Garnett back to power forward, but he ended up playing a lot there last year anyway with so many injuries to Joe Smith. Adding Lewis would free the Wolves up to shop Wally Szczerbiak for a top-flight point guard.

Knicks: Just what they need, another small forward. However, Lewis is the type of young, versatile player the team desperately needs. Until they find a taker for Latrell Sprewell, however, they may have a tough time selling him on playing a backup role.

Rockets: Lewis has publicly stated several times that he'd love to return home. The Rockets are far enough under the luxury-tax threshold that they can afford to do it. They would have a logjam at small forward with Glen Rice and Bostjan Nachbar, but neither has the upside of Lewis. If the Rockets could swing it, they'd be one of the most lethal young teams in the West.

Sonics: Don't count them out yet. They can always say "my bad" and drop another $10 million or so on Rashard. Free agents always claim that it isn't about the money, but it's amazing how a few extra bones can quickly change their mind. And it isn't like Seattle is a bad place for Lewis to hang. He would be the star on this team next year once Gary Payton leaves, and the Sonics are also building a nice young nucleus with Desmond Mason and Vladimir Radmanovic.

 

IMO, if we think there is a chance that he will take the MCE from the Mavs, then we have to offer it to him as well. If Rashard wants to play here as bad as everyone (media) says he does, then we should sign him.

For the next 10 years or so (IMO), it will be us and them battling for the Midwest crown...Dallas isn't stupid, they know full well that if we land Rashard, it brings us that much closer to them in talent.

 

Agreed...maybe they consider him a part of the logjam because of what he makes...certainly not because of the minutes he needs