I think it's pretty funny the way he compares his career to Kobe Bryant's. This very much seems like a premeditated ploy to pressure Sonics mgmt into MAXing him out come contract time. I doubt he leaves Seattle.
I guess it's a question of the numbers. Does he want to be averaging 18 points a game? I don't see him doing that here. If he wants to average 8-12 he would fit in nicely for a long time. For the most part the Rockets will be looking at role players/rookies in the 5 and 3 spot. Cat, Mobley, and Griffin are going to be doing all the scoring. We don't allow him much growth. He'd become another Shandon Anderson.
As I've said, this is a large MCE we're talking about. 6 years, 40 mill. How much more is another team willing to offer? No matter, 6 years 40 mill is MORE than enough to threaten to force Seattle's hand, or to settle for it. Interesting about his house. I wonder if he bought it near Steve and Cuttino? I think I recall him spending the summer at Westside, too. Anyone care to confirm? Quick comparison of the future that can be offered to Rashard from Houston, vs. Seattle: Houston=Francis, Mobley, Griffin Seattle=Mason, Shammond Williams, Radmanovic Any questions? If Seattle doesn't offer max money quickly, Rashard could be in Houston. Rashard is not worth max money. BTW, did I not call it yesterday? Here
I picked up on the possible tampering but what shocked me more is that he compares himself to Kobe! Does anyone here think he could be the type of player that is as good all around as Kobe and can score 56 points in 3 quarters? I'm sorry but Rashard is smoking something. I think Rashard is just talking out loud about wanting to come to Houston just like Horry did last year. Rashard had the perfect chance to come to Houston as a free agent before he signed his recent deal and he didn't come. I like our stock of power forwards right now (with Taylor) more than I would if we had to mortgage a lot in a sign and trade or whatever to get Lewis.
teeloo- A.) Rashard is a small forward, not a power forward B.) The last time Rashard was a free agent, he was a restricted free agent. That mans Seattle could've matched any of our offers. He signed a deal that he could opt out after 2 years.
While he's a nice player, he is not worth the max. I would like to see us get him, but not at the cost of a max contract. Maybe Seattle would except Cato in return for him.
Well, obviously if the Rocks didn't sign Rice, we'd be in a much better position, but that's old hash. Assuming we can pull rashard for 8 mil+ and KT is a value of around 6 mil... then we have major contracts lining up as : Rockets: KT - 6 mil MoT - 6.5 mil Rice - 8.8 mil Mobley - 4.4 mil Seattle: Rashard - 8 mil+ Brent Barry - 4.7 mil mason - 1.1 mil i don't want to see el torro, griffin, francis move.. and even with the other players not listed here considered... I find it a bit difficult to see seattle doing any of the possible combinations. if there's anway we could unload rice... rice + cutino for rashard + barry.. don't see that
Rashard is not worth the max, but I wouldn't be surprised if he got it from Seattle. Could some of the resident capologists please explore the ramifications of bringing in Lewis at a large contract (equal to or larger than Maurice Taylor's). what is our expected cap room this summer assuming Walt leaves? how would acquiring Lewis in a sign-and-trade effect resigning Francis and, eventually, Griffin? with the current CBA, what happens when you have 3 guys signed to large contracts (is Milwaukee an example?)? Are there examples of teams that have done so and what was the end result? cap wise, could we afford Taylor, Rice, Francis, and Lewis?
writhe: Next year, we have about 42 million in alotted salaries. That covers: Francis, Moochie Mobley Rice, Morris Taylor, Thomas, Griffin Cato, Collier The free agents being Walt, Willis, Langhi, Tierre Brown, and Oscar Torres. Torres seems to be the only one worth signing. Also, we'll have a couple of picks to sign. Francis and Rice will have a 1 year overlap at high values. There is a minimal impact on Griffin, because by the time he's available for extension, Cato will nearly be off the books. We're structured very well. We will be over the cap, or minimally under it, but well under the luxury tax. That is why Rashard is possible to sign. Les has shown the willingness to make moves to improve the team.
If we could get Rashard in a sign and trade without sending Franics, Mobley or Griffin, I would do that trade in a heartbeat. Lewis is better than every other role player on our team (and it is debatable that he is better than Mobely).
I think it would be amazing to be able to put out a lineup that includes Francis, Mobley, Lewis, Griffin, Taylor, Rice, Moochie, Torries, Terrence Morris, Etc...
What exactly are the teams that could afford to pay Rashard the max? I bet the Cavs could do it but other than that I don't see it happening, especially for a player like him.
Man that would be awesome, but of course, I'm still cautiously optimistic. Ideally, it would be cool to do what Nike suggested, and end up signing him outright with the MCE, but would othre teams be able to offer that Nike? Don't forget we have a possible lotto pick to throw into the mix. say, KT + Rice(only what, a 2 or 3 year contract) + lotto pick for Rash? Or Mo + Cato + the pick for Rash + something else.
Which is funnier: (a) Rashard Lewis thinks he's worth Kobe Bryant money, or (b) Instead of paying Rashard Lewis Kobe Bryant money, we're paying Glen Rice about $1M less than Kobe Bryant money.
Seattle loves Mo Taylor because they wanted him when he was a F.A. so maybe we could deal him and a 1st rounder for Rashard. I wish we could deal Mo and Cato but Seattle is not that dumb to take Cato.
A simple trade that might help the Rockets if Booth and/or Knight could play at all! Seattle trades: Rashard Lewis $4,413,375 to Houston Seattle trades: Calvin Booth $4,539,000 to Houston Seattle trades: Vin Baker $11,250,000 to New York TOTAL: $20,202,375 New York trades: Latrell Sprewell $11,250,000 to Seattle New York trades: Travis Knight $3,600,000 to Houston TOTAL: $14,850,000 Houston trades: Walt Williams $5,000,000 to New York Houston trades: Kevin Willis $3,000,000 to Seattle Houston trades: Kelvin Cato $6,048,000 to Seattle TOTAL: $14,048,000 TRADE ACCEPTED Rockets Gain No more Cato Replace Cato and Willis with a SOFT KNIGHT and a "DECENT" Booth Add Lewis to run the Three TEAM Franchise/Norris Mobley/Torres Lewis/Rice/Morris Taylor/Thomas/Collier(IR) Griffin/Booth/Knight Seattle picks up Sprewell to replace Lewis, Picks up Willis (Salary dump), and Cato (Weakest part of trade next to Knight) But the one positive is the get rid of the Vin Baker Contract in exchange for one half in price! New York gets an end of year salary dump in Walt and gets size and scoring in Baker for the same cost of sprewell. Therefore they net cap space which they need to do to begin restructuring this team. Just my thoughts!
That's cold Will,really cold. Just when we're finally forgetting the cap albatross that is Rice(with him stashed on IR for the year)you have to bring that up. Do you have to burst our wishful thinking balloon? You know perfectly well all we have to look forward to this season is: 1. Griff's development 2. a lotto pick 3. fantasy trade/free agent moves You're right though,paying Rice that much is waaaaay more absurd!
