http://www.theolympian.com/sports/story/148908.html NEW YORK - Ray Allen doesn't know if former teammate Rashard Lewis will want to re-sign with the Seattle SuperSonics now that Allen has been traded to the Boston Celtics. [Ad: The Olympian - Click Here] Lewis opted out of his contract in May to become an unrestricted free agent and is seeking a contract from the Sonics that he hopes will be $80 million for six years. But Allen thinks that if the Sonics are again undertaking a youth movement, Lewis will ask the Sonics to do a sign-and-trade deal. "Now that I'm no longer there I'm not even sure Rashard is going to want to come back," Allen said in a telephone interview. "He wants to win and you almost think they are starting to rebuild with all these young players. I'm not sure Rashard is going to want to be a big brother to all these young guys." The Sonics can offer Lewis more money than any other team in the league. But Allen said he thinks that once Lewis sees the direction of the team, he might request a sign-and-trade deal with another team that would give Sonics general manager Sam Presti the chance to get some talent in return. Houston, the New York Knicks, Portland and Boston are expected to contact Lewis' agent on July 1 and express an interest in signing him. "That is the decision he has to make," Allen said. "I know Rashard didn't like losing. Rashard and I sat in the locker room together after we'd lose games, he didn't like it. He has the chance now to make a decision that is going to affect his next five to 10 years." Allen said he first heard discussions about trading him to the Celtics when he was vacationing in Mexico last week. His agent, Lon Babby, called to say that Boston's trade talks involving Minnesota's Kevin Garnett evolved into discussions with Seattle regarding Allen. He said it may be good karma for him to head to the Celtics because when he was drafted with the fifth pick in the 1996, he actually thought he was going to be taken by Boston with the sixth pick. "It is kind of ironic that it is coming full circle," Allen said. Allen said he understood why the Sonics made the offer, particularly considering that in return they got the rights to Jeff Green, who was taken with the fifth pick, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak. "I was sitting here watching it and I looked at what Boston was giving up and I said, '(Darn), it's hard not to pull the trigger on that.' It's like me getting caught up in the cross-fire. It makes me sad but I move on. That was my career as a Sonic, but what can you do? That's part of the business." Allen in fact said he was happy to be dealt to Boston because it is much closer to his family, which lives in Connecticut. Allen played at the University of Connecticut. "Honestly, I really look forward to (going home)," Allen said. "It is my old stomping grounds. Obviously it has been a while since I've been there. I love Seattle, but it is so far away from everything. Now I get the chance to play in front of friends and family and get back to school a little bit more than I had been."
No to RL. One dimensional player demanding near max salary. NO NO NO. Mid level exception, yes! If I were the Sonics I wouldn't want him back either. Too much $$$$. I rather let #2 and #5 gain valuable experience and tank the season to get another lotto pick and they'll be set. The Rockets should've tanked a couple of years ago.... If we're in another first round exit, we should just rebuild around YM or trade TMAC + YM and rebuild from scratch.
Knicks would love to have him but I can't imagine Seattle wanting guys like Crawford or Richardson and the contracts that come with them. Portland is interesting but will they be willing to part with some of that young talent they have built up the last two season. Pryzbilla or LaFrenz is not going to get it done. Boston - Ratliff + Green? But who starts at SF - Lewis or Pierce? Read Miami is going to go hard after him as well as Orlando (which I feel is the best bet to land him especially since they can outright sign him) For all the Rashard lovers, the Rockets have nothing to offer the Sonics that they would be willing to sign and trade him here. You need to pray every night that he wants to win and win at home more than anything, enough to take the MLE.
The Sonics just drafted a 6-9 and a 6-10 Small Forward (although hopefully Durant can bulk up and shift to PF), I really don't think they need Battier anymore.
I like our chances of getting him. 1)Houston is his home 2)He wants to win 3) We have people we would trade (Shane, a PG,future pick) 4)sonics look like they would trade for not alot in return
If that is really the list of teams Houston has to be the favorites. New York has no real young or sufficient talent to offer. Portland is making a youth movement therfore I doubt Lewis will be in their plans. Boston has absolutley nothing to offer that they are willing to give up plus they cannot have 3 all stars at 2 posistions it just will not work And lets not forget this is the guys home and he has always wanted to play here if the Rockets offer a contract close to as lucrative as other teams he will be in Houston and that is a gurantee.
seattle kinda needs a pg. give v-span or head. maybe rafer. package that with someone else like maybe battier and sura's contract.
innovative. Charlotte is a team that really needs a PG. Maybe send Rafer to Charlotte, Head + Sura + Battier to Seattle...we get Lewis... Charlotte sends a pick to Seattle? (or something smallish) That way Seattle keeps Rafer off their books when they're going super young...they get a little more out of the deal than they would otherwise...and Charlotte gets a solid backup PG when they already are set at the starter with Felton.
i like Battier, he did a good job last season...but if we want get Lewis what we should give??? what about : Head $1,122,000 + Sura$3,840,000 + Lucas $770,610+ $5,215,000 to Seattle...we get Lewis$10,129,870 +...
We have to give Lewis about 12 mil to keep him from being a BYC player. Also do you speak english? Your post makes no sense what so ever.
Ok get this once n forever....Lewis is not gonna sign with Rockets!!! Lewis wants to be a superstar n earn big money which with Rockets he can never achieve with Yao n Tmac in the team. So please stop the lewis thread seriously!!! Rockets dont even have the money to pay him what he deserves!!!
Good job Morey don't give up now. We can try with Lewis cause if we bring him we will trade Shane for the PF. I remember that Rashard said : "Rockets ain't ready for me" but he wants to win. There is a good place to win (I think) but he has to remember that he would be our 3rd option. He can stay in Sonics, be the 1 st option and won't make a playoffs again.
Anyone who thinks we will trade Battier needs to reevaluate the situation and stop offering it. Morey is about the stats as we all have heard, and Battier offers decent FT%, good 3pt%, he rebounds, he gets steals, he scores, and he takes almost as many flops/charges as Varejao. He offers everything, including two things you cannot put a stat on: Heart and experience with world class coaches(Coach K at Duke, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, JVG, and he was an assistant for Pat Riley in New York). We won't trade him, even if it is for Lewis. Morey JUST WON'T DO IT.
