First, it is clear he wants the big bucks. That immediately eliminates us from free agency. Second, I wonder why you guys think that giving up an old, fairly expensive power forward (Howard), a below-average two guard (Head) and a solid defensive player (Battier) plus an expiring contract (Sura) is going to get it done. Our draft picks are NOT going to be worth much given the assumption that we won't be in the lottery much over the next few years with this lineup. The ONLY way I could see this working is if Lewis demanded to go to Houston and put Seattle in the position to have to do something just to get a return on the investment. I'm not saying we won't get him or that it's impossible, but he's going to want probably 6 years, $60 million+. It won't be easy for us to make a deal for him and we can't just sign him outright.
"Oh, yeah. I've been here since the team drafted me [in 1998]. They have faith in me," Lewis said last month. is quoted directly out of that article. im sure he says he wants to come back, i heard it from a friend as well, (from a friend who went to elsik). as much as i wish he could come to houston i seriously doubt he will. by opting out of his contract hes able to find bigger and better contracts. im pretty sure hes going to find another team that can afford him.
I agree the only people who will demand to be traded here.... are guys who no else one wants... would anyone want to0 after our last 4 year performance?
The only way I see us getting Rashard is maybe trading McGrady to Charlotte (cap space galore) for, maybe, Okafor and the #8, then sending the #8 to Seattle for a signed-and-traded Rashard. A sign and trade brings the BYC implications, so Seattle could only take back so much. In other words, it ain't gonna happen.
Yea know that I think about it, it seems like there is no way in hell Lewis would give up anything close of money to play for the Rockets and no way we would get him. All he seems to care about is his $$$ for the most part.
Rashard opted out out of a $21 million deal over the next 2 years, so he is probably looking for even more with his new team. I can totally see him going to a team like Charlotte that has the money and the idiocy to sign him.
Not necessarily. BYC only kicks in if the raise exceeds 120% of the prior contracts' ending year value. Anything less than $11.2m and BYC does not kick in. Rashard's a good player but the Sonics haven't exactly set the world on fire. 6 years starting at $11m is more than enough to snag him.
Jeff mentioned 6 years - 60 mil-others mention 14 to 15mil per season. RAsheed Wallace is in the 3rd year? of a 5 year - 50 mil contract. I do not unerstand how Rashard Lewis could command the same money or more than Rasheed Wallace. Lewis is often injured-not much defense.
That'd be good. In that situation Rockets can go after Gerald Wallace, who IMO is a better fit anyway, and then trade Battier for a PF.
He's young, an all star and has averaged more than 22 points per game. Not to mention, he's a guy that can play two positions and is comfortable rebounding and running the floor. I'd be surprised if he DOESN'T get the max or close to it.
What we need to do is get Tmac to get his smooth talking on again like he's done with so many players before. You know, convince Lewis that there is more to life than $$$. Tell him an MLE is more than what half the world population can even dream of in their lifetime! C'mon Tmac! Make it happen!
We dont have the money for him and plus i think he still has something against the organization for not drafting him.
rockets should do this....trade juwan howard, shane battier and a future #1 to seattle for rashard lewis. juwan makes around 6.5 mill, shane makes about 6, rashard wants 14 mill a yr, we can throw in sura expiring contract to make things even out. its a win-win situation for both teams! seattle can put batter at small forward, they have a veteran presence in juwan howard and suras expiring contract. if rashard leaves seattle, theyll need a small forward...battier can fit perfectly there, plus he's already signed for another 3 yrs! do it morey!
I stand corrected as you know more about this player than I do. I do not watch the Sonics unless they play the Rockets. I recall last year he had a problem with his hand I think-affecting his shot. I really had no Idea he was an impact player that would get the max-multi year contract....
Maybe Clyde Drexler will tell how great it was to come home ane finish his career here. What a lineup that would be. Ming Lewis TMac Who cares Who cares Time to wake up now.
I'll get more hate but, I would rather have Rashard over T-mac (especially with no JVG two star system now). If Houston could SnT Lewis for Rashard + a significant player while dumping Alston or Howard, I'm all for it.
