If Rashard Lewis wants to come to Houston, and I know Rudy would love to have him, can't we get some kind of agreement with him? Next year we won't have Hakeem's 16 million dollars on our salary cap, so if we can tell Rashard to sign a one year deal somewhere, and when he becomes a free agent again after next year, he can come home and sign a big contract with us, like 5 or 6 million a year for 6 years or something like that. I don't know if Rashard would agree to this, but if he really would like to be home, than this could work. Then we can use the rest to sign Shandon and Cuttino to better contracts, and go for other free agents. Seriously, I don't think we have a chance at Webber, but you never know.
What if Rashard just signs a one year deal, knowing that Houston is going to be under the cap next year. He knows that Houston would like to have him, so he signs a one year deal to become a free agent next year, when Houston can sign him for the money he wants, but Houston has nothing to do with his decision. I know this is highly unlikely, but if Rashard really wants to come back, he could do it.
Does Rashard really want to come back? I read an article the other that says that Lewis is just saying what people want him to say (says he likes Seattle to Seattle papers, says he likes Houston to Houston papers, says he like Chicago to Chicago papers etc.). I think the fact that Lewis is going out of his way to play for Seattle's summer league team speaks volumes. Also, if any of you work at or will be at the airport, look for the Sonics team plane with Gary Payton on it. Gary is said to be making a recruiting visit to Lewis this week. ------------------
He's a restricted FA I thought. Meaning if the rocks signed him, Seattle could match and get him. I could be wrong. Now a s/t would be possible with the picks owed us. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
I think Seattle would let Lewis walk (and he can only walk to Chicago, Clippers, and Orlando) rather than sign/trade. Chicago, LAC, and Orlando are the only teams that pose a threat (assuming TMac resigns in Toronto, they may also be able). He could sign a 1 year deal (which would be contingent upon Chicago/LAC/Orlando/Toronto making the offer sheet a 1 year deal, and TMac accepting), but he'd be better off signing a 1 year in Seattle, and getting his Bird Rights, then maxing out. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
How, in any way, would Seattle gain by letting Rashard walk rather than sign and trade him? He's only half a million against the cap, right? Seattle is about depleted. Send them a #1 plus Bryce Drew and Carlos Rogers for a signed and traded Rashard. For gosh sakes, he's only a second round draft pick. Okay, thrown in KT if necessary! ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
RR-Let's put this in perspective. Would you accept Shammond Williams and Laz Burrell for Cuttino Mobley in a sign and trade? He may only be a 2nd rounder, but he has star maybe even superstar potential. Basically, they'd be calling his bluff. Seattle and Houston used to be rivals. Why do them a favor now, by giving them a 21 year old 6'10'' SF/PF with a jumpshot? If Chicago and Orlando and LAC and Toronto can't get him (don't offer enough for him, he doesn't sign their sheet, etc.) then Seattle would have him. They wouldn't need to Sign and Trade. Bryce Drew and Carlos Rogers won't make them any better. If you put Lewis on this team, we're playoffs in 2 years, if not this year. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
If Rashard really wanted to be here, then I would think Seattle could do the sign & trade on a 1 or 2 year deal. Also what is Restriction on this type of Free Agent. Is there a restriction deadline, possibly giving a player the option to hold out until the end of camp possibly forcing a team to release them with out a contract??? ------------------
If Rashard really wanted to be here, then I would think Seattle could do the sign & trade on a 1 or 2 year deal. Also what is Restriction on this type of Free Agent. Is there a restriction deadline, possibly giving a player the option to hold out until the end of camp possibly forcing a team to release them with out a contract??? ------------------
Oh, Nike, regarding my comment about Lewis only being a second round pick, you failed to notice the tongue planted firmly in my cheek. However, I still assert that getting anything is better than getting nothing. My deal to the Sonics included a #1. That alone is something to consider! My deal to the Sonics was better than your deal to the Rockets. Would you deal Cuttino for Rashard straight up? Assuming that Lewis won't sign with one of those teams is a huge risk because they get nothing in return, right? No players, no picks, no cap relief. Seems like a proactive approach would be better. Are they trying to take advantage of his youth? If we don't get him and someone else does, maybe Wally Walker will make a comeback and be our SF if they put im out with the trash and let him sign with Chicago! He will be looking for a job. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't. [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited July 03, 2000).]
RR-I didn't include picks for a reason. Burrell, and S. Williams both started towards the end of the stretch. I'll take Burrell and Williams on a team I'm starting out over Los/Drew. Throw in a pick to the deal too, it doesn't really matter. Seattle would probably rather lose Lewis to Chicago, in the Eastern Conference, than the Rockets in the West. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
W-O-W!! This intraconference rivalry is short-sighted if you ask me. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. That is really stupid IMHO, but I'm starting to believe you. I'm a pretty casual NBA fan and claim expertise in nothing about it. It is just fun to postulate and speculate. My historical knowledge is stronger than my current events! ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
RR-Yep, I agree on that. But, if you're a team, and your star player wants to leave, and he's a superstar, MVP caliber player, wouldn't you prefer to send him to the other conference, and only have to face him twice a year? But, this point is basically moot. If Seattle can sign and trade Lewis, then they can also sign him. I'd assume they'd want to keep him. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
Judging from his reaction on draft night, why would Lewis ever want to return to Houston -- other than to torch the Rockets for fifty points? Houston made a mistake and Lewis should work hard to improve his game.
Here's a scenario: Lewis sends word through his "associates" talking to the media that he wants to come home to Houston if we can clear a certain amount of cap space. We reshuffle all our plans and deal away enough talent to clear the space. The Rockets schedule a big press conference with Lewis to announce that he's signing with us. At the last moment, with all the media on hand, Lewis's agent leaves a message on Rudy's answering machine that Lewis has decided not to come to Houston after all. So sorry! Fortunately, the agent has a Plan B for the Rockets: How about if we use the freshly cleared cap space to pick up his other client, Mirsad Turkcan . . . ? And speaking of laughs, how about the wacky idea of the Sonics taking Bryce Drew in a straight-up trade for Lewis? Wouldn't that be funny? Man, anybody who'd give up Lewis for Drew must be nuts, huh? Too bad no team in the league is that stupid . . .
If it's only a business decision, which I do not agree, then there are other teams that can offer Lewis more money. Houston made a mistake when they did not draft him, but on the other hand, Lewis has not done that much to warrant this much attention. Houston should focus on Croshere. ------------------ Forget regrets or life is yours to miss.
Hey Will, "Too bad no team in the league is that stupid" You're giving the Clippers too much credit. ------------------
"Too bad no team in the league is that stupid" I think Will was refering to the Rocks. Good one. ------------------ PRO HOTTEST CHICKS FORUM!!
