Nothing wrong with that. Would gladly do it to get Rashard on board (the one I would most like to keep would be Mo).
There's nothing to lose if we sign Rashard to the MCE so I say sign him. We can just let him go at the end of his deal if it doesn't work out.
Throwing Rashard into our team would completly change our offseason this year. It would be almost essential to get rid of Glen Rice or Bostjan Nachbar, because there would be a logjam at small forward. Kenny Thomas would have to definitly go. Adding Rashard would just add more offense, and we don't need that. He dosen't improve our defense much, and he will hinder Nachbar's development. Rice will have to get some time if Lewis plays, so where do the other small forwards fit in? Our team would be better off without him in my opinion.
Uh, this logic is like saying the Rockets should bench Mobley, and allow Oscar Torres to start, for developmental reasons. Lewis isn't some old ass fogey who wouldn't fit in our plans. By adding Lewis, we could eventually trade Nachbar for a future #1 or something.
Slow down Nacbar's development? Lewis is probably better now then Nacbar will ever be. Lewis averaged 16.8 pts, 7 boards, shot 46.8% from the field, and 38.9% from beyond the arc, and he's only 22. Not taking a player that will definetely be a star in a year or two, just because he will slow down the development of a player that wasn't even taken in the lottery. He is injured to. I mean I know that as Rockets fans we love to think that all of our draft picks will be stars, but that's not true, Yao will be a star, and Nachbar's got a shot too, but Lewis is definetely better.
If Rashard Lewis does leave the Sonics, I think it will be for a 1 yr deal at the mid level exception. I seriously doubt this whole 3 yr thing for a mid level salary. The idea for Lewis would be to become a FA once again next summer when many more teams are under the cap. We saw what happened last time this bonanza occurred with Duncan, Hill and McGrady as free agents; a player like Tim Thomas found his value bid up to near max levels. Thus, if Rashard does sign in Houston, it will only be for 1 yr imo meaning his stay could be short. This is the first time I have seen even a glimmer of hope for Lewis to come to Houston b/c there could be a monetary interest here as Lewis could showcase his skills by playing in a system where he would be a great sidekick and would be more in a position of strength than weakness next summer. The question then is, would you want Lewis even if its for 1 yr? I personally would take it. Getting Lewis would not only make the Rockets a clear favorite to make the jump into the playoffs among the bubble teams, but it would also weaken the Sonics who were a 7th seed last yr. One last point, the Rockets could not re-sign Lewis in the same fashion they did with Mo Taylor. The Rockets did not need Mo's full bird rights at the time b/c they were far under cap; they will be capped out next summer. Thus, more than likely, Lewis would be a 1 yr rental if he does come to Houston.
we would definitely have to work something else out for Rice because I don't think Lewis comes to Houston to sit the bench. ure would be hard to showcase your talent on the pine or for only half the game. Rice has been a starter for too long and will only play less if he is hurt, IMO. I would still like to have Rashard here because he is hometown, is a very solid player and who knows what could be worked out next year to keep him on.
First off, let me say that I'd love to have Rashard for the exception...but that's only for one year. There are things that worry me about signing him though. I think Rashard is overrating himself a bit, comparing himself to other players that were mistakingly overpaid by the Sonics. The Rockets have enough big contracts coming their way soon, and Rashard would just add another. It could seriously hurt this team if he comes in this year, and then jets next season for some big money. Or the Rockets do give him money, sign Francis to the max, and could have some serious financial problems kind of like the Knicks. I think Rashard would have similar impact to Allan Houston, and Houston was definitely overpaid by NY, imo. That's a no-win situation, because either we lose him after a year, or overpay the guy big-time to be a role player. I really don't see Rashard becoming a huge star in this league, just a good player that should be a 2nd or 3rd option on any good team.
Its been said before, but ill say it again... If there is any chance in hell of getting Lewis do it.. Nachbar has proven nothing except for that he was meant for the rockets when he got injured this summer.. Lewis has a really good chance of being the much better player out of Nachbar.. He is clearly an improvement over what we have at SF right now.. Hopefully we can keep him for more than just one year.. If the Rockets do get into the playoffs and play well who knows? He might sign up again next year.
Why would we NOT want Lewis? Especially if it's just one year. In that case he would play his butt off in order to showcase for free agency next year when there's more money teams available. How can this possibly be bad for the Rockets? They would have depth comparable to Portland without nearly as much attitude. If we had anywhere near as many injuries as last year,it would still give us a great shot at a playoff spot with that kind of depth. That one year with Rashard would be better than just gambling that: 1. Rice will be injury free, 2. Nachbar will shine his first year out,and 3. TMo is ready to bust out. Maybe 1,2 or all 3 happen but Lewis for this one year puts us alot closer to not only making the playoffs but some noise once we get there. After that one year he can go if he wants the bucks and then the Rockets are in better shape to depend on Boki and TMo.
I think Seattle will come to there senses and give him more $$$, I don't know about the 102 million though. But if we did pick up Lewis, we would probably trade Rice. First, we would have to free up some cap space. Second, we really wouldn't need him. Third, we could probably pick up a future first-rounder for him (which is pretty good). If we pick up Lewis, it would be great. But if we don't, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this team.
If Lewis will do a Shandon or MoT deal ( ), it's a no-brainer. I think we have a pretty fair consensus on that. Both of those deals seemed highly unlikely at the time, so who knows? Maybe it will happen.
First of all Lewis is a r****d if he thinks he is worth 102 million! Seattle gave him what 49 mil over 6 years? Sheez, and the guy is saying that is not enough? Talk about greedy, last thing we need is another over paid player. And if we do get him how is Francis, Mobley, Griffin, Lewis, Ming, Taylor, all going to share the ball? Ming, Francis, and Griifin could be future max salaries, how could we keep this team together for more than one season?
All those who are saying it's a no-brainer are not considering the future of this team. I'd also like to make it clear that statements like "Lewis is definately better than Nachbar will ever be" are PURELY PURELY opinion. I COMPLETELY disagree. That's my opinion. Nachbar is a sharpshooter with a propensity for dunking. Other than that, he's got good passing skills, and great fundamentals. His ballhandling, if it is what the Rockets say, is years ahead of Rashard's. Rashard does not deserve the MAX. One of the most IMPORTANT rules of being a MAX player is you have to know how to score well AND defend well. Lewis is never going to be a good defender. Don't sign him to a one year. Not even if unload Rice. because we need Rice's salary to come off the books in time for Grifin's extension. The one way I'd do this? If we could unload MoT, KT, and T-Mo while getting a SOLID PF who can play great D and mentor Griff along with getting Griffin. Lewis would also have to play some backup PF minutes. That's the only way I'm comfortable, because we'd be replacing Taylor's contract with Lewis'. Ming/Cato Griff/Acquired player/Lewis Lewis/Rice/Nachbar Mobley/??? Francis/Mooch That, I'd go for. But Lewis makes NOTHING more than Mo T money. That would still be overpaying, but what the heck.
If they are offering 7yr 56mill max, basically 8 mill a yr, if the Rockets could sign and trade taylors 7 mill and Thomas 1 mill i would do it. They might have to give up a future pick, but it would be very do ableand really improve this team. People will say why give up your 2 power forwards? Simple. Cato after losing his starting job to Ming can back up the 4 and 5 and give him enough minutes to make him happy. They could also resign Willis who could swing both positions also.If they din't sign Lewis, I still like the team we'll have for next yr anyway.
I think Lewis knows he's not worth that much, but wants Seattle to pay (literally), because he took the $hitty ass contract w/ Seattle over Toronto and they said that they would reward him. Either way, Seattle messed up, they either pay a kid a whole lot of money (whos not even worth that much), or they lose a star player and is only left with GP.
I would like 'Shard to play on the Rockets, but I don't see it happening. I have a feeling that the Sonics will straighten it out by trading away Vin Baker's huge contract. They want to get rid of his contract so that they have more to sign Rashard. Supposedly the talks are really "hot" and it may actually go through. Although I don't really think the trade makes sense from the Sonics perspective. Ive heard Potapenko and Kenny Anderson for Vin Baker. As we all know, Kenny plays point and Vitaly plays center. They have a couple of centers already and they have Payton at point. How does this trade make any sense at all?
