It's Over HOUSTON (AP) _ Efforts by the Houston Rockets to sign free agent Rashard Lewis were unsuccessful as the Seattle SuperSonics player decided to go back with his old team, a Houston television station reported Thursday. The Rockets were one of several teams vying to sign the 6-foot-10 small forward but Lewis' Houston-based agent, Carl Poston, told KRIV that his client has re-signed with the SuperSonics. The seven-year deal is worth $60 million and could climb to $75 million with incentives. If Lewis had signed with the Rockets, it would have been a homecoming. He played at Alief Elsik High School before jumping to the NBA. Lewis averaged 16.8 points and seven rebounds for Seattle last season. Poston had previously said the Rockets' chances of signing Lewis could be hurt by the team's salary cap restrictions. Lewis shopped his services after initially not getting the kind of offer he was hoping for from Seattle. Lewis reportedly at first was looking for upward of $80 million over seven years.
I'm sorry to see anyone not on our team that, by all accounts, wants to be so desperately, but we really don't have a place for him. Best of luck Rashard.... and I look forward to the Rox kicking your Houston-loving a$$ this season.
Hold on, pawdna. I think he wanted more money to stay in Seattle, sure. He really, really wanted to come home, but hell, the only sensible decision was stay put. Besides, he'll only be 27/8 when his next contract comes due.
ESPN posted this article with the header: "Lewis agent tells Houston TV Station that Rashard not leaving". So yes, this is different because the first deal was a Seattle TV Sports Director who got the early scoop but could not get confirmation. This is stating that Lewis' agent told the TV Station directly.
*Or maybe it means he is not leaving Houston?!? http://msn.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0919/1433938.html "Lewis' agent tells Houston TV station he's not leaving"
shooooooooooooooo if i was that young and all that money came my way... not signing for that huge contract would be dumb....so i think most of us would have done the same.. but.. good luck Rashard..
I suppose when you are looking for a job that it isn't about the money to you...at least on some level.
I'm almost started a thread entitled <B>Lewis in 2009?!?!?!?!</b>...but I thought that might get me in trouble.
But, but, but, Popeye said it's not over! Sign and trade can still be done, right? Rice, Moochie and Collier for the newly signed Shard. I'm no Cap olo Gist, but if this would work, I'd do it. Keep hope alive. What else are we supposed to do for the off season? Caron Butler trade rumours? WoW
