I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but it does mention that the Sonics are interested in Griffin & Walt (?). Fortunately, the Rockets aren't trading Griffin. http://www.tribnet.com/sports/basketball/story/1654900p-1771866c.html Source: Sonics shopping Lewis Frank Hughes; The News Tribune As the Seattle SuperSonics and Dallas Mavericks continue to grow less and less patiently, free agent forward Rashard Lewis continues to pine for something that is not likely to happen. Lewis and agent Carl Poston have not made a decision about which team Lewis will sign a contract with. That's because, sources say, both are holding out hope that a sign-and-trade deal can be put together that will net Lewis a larger contract than the seven-year, $60 million one the Sonics are offering. That contract can be increased to as much as $75 million, but The News Tribune has learned that that can happen only if Lewis makes the All-Star team each year of the deal. The Sonics placed an incentive clause in the proposed contract that will give Lewis an additional 25 percent of his base salary each season he makes the All-Star team. Under rules of the collective bargaining agreement, no other team except the Sonics can offer Lewis as much as a 25 percent incentive-based kicker. Meanwhile, the Sonics have made calls around the league looking to do a sign-and-trade deal, but thus far they have been unable to put together a package. According to three league sources, the Sonics talked to the Houston Rockets about acquiring second-year forward Eddie Griffin in exchange for Lewis. Griffin is a 6-10, 220-pound forward from Seton Hall who averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.84 blocks in his rookie season. It is believed free agent Walt Williams is the other player that would be involved in such a deal, which would require the Rockets to sign Williams and then trade both he and Griffin to the Sonics. However, sources say the Rockets turned down such a deal because they did not want to part with Griffin. The Sonics also have talked to several other teams, including the Mavericks, about sign-and-trade scenarios but nothing has come close to being worked out. Part of the problem the sides have encountered is that with a luxury tax and a season of economic uncertainty looming, few, if any, teams are willing to pay Lewis more than the $60 million the Sonics are offering -- and that is the basis of Lewis's desire for a sign-and-trade. Teams are so cost-conscious that the Sonics have not received many calls from anyone trying to unload bad contracts because other teams do not want to take on a large, long-term contract. At some point, Lewis likely is going to have to decide between taking Seattle's offer or the Mavericks' $15 million over three seasons, with the hope that Dallas owner Mark Cuban rewards him in the summer of 2005 with a large contract. Until then, all sides sit and wait.
One Thing Lewis can count on... One Thing Lewis can count on... If he signs with Dallas, he will be moved with Van Exel for a big man as soon as possible.
However, sources say the Rockets turned down such a deal because they did not want to part with Griffin. Damn Straight. No way we giving up a potential stud with a rookie contract for a overpriced sf who can't do anything but shoot jumpshots and compares himself to Kobe Bryant.
This is the very reason why Lewis is a moron if he doesn't take the $60 million and thank God for it. Teams are NOT going to do max deals or even close to them for non-superstarts anymore. They can't afford to do it with the salary cap looming. Thing is, Rockets never offered him any deal and they certainly aren't going to give up inexpensive talent that is also more promising long term (i.e. Griffin). Lewis needs to conceed that $60 million is all he is going to get and be happy with it.
All I wanted to hear out of that was that the Rockets would not part with Griffin. That makes me smile real big.
why doesnt he just sign a one year deal somewhere and then test FA next season, after he proves himself (if possible), that he belongs in all star-class. I understand he needs 3 years to get his bird rights, but didn't McGrady and Grant Hill come away with sweet deals - signing elsewhere (straight up), with no bird-rights?
No one has the cap room to give him what he wants this season and next season, he won't rank in the top 10 against the other free agents. This is his best opportunity to get the money he wants.
I would say that Rashard is a victim of high self opinion and a poor agent who isn't giving him the facts... but you never know. I thought the same thing about Moochie and Shandon and they both got money.
If he signs a one year deal anywhere but Seattle then he has to wait three years to receive a contract as big as the one Seattle is offering unless that team is under the cap. So if he takes Seattle’s deal it will be at least 7 years before he can get a max contract and if he does not then he will loose millions over the next 3 years hoping to get a max contract that may never come. It's kind of a big decision. I know this is easy for me to say but I would gladly take less to play for the team of my choice. 3 years at 4.5 mil a year and I would be a Rocket no questions asked and no guarantees needed.
In all honesty, I think a deal can be reached if they wanted to deal with the Blazers. There's a 3-way deal here, Payton, Stoudamire, Lewis, Wells, Terrell Brandon would all be in this mega-deal. Sonics have to be smart and start rebuilding right now. Payton and Lewis can get them tons of talent and picks.
I don't care if Lewis joins some other team than the Rockets.I was quite sure that management would refuse to include Griffin in any deal for him and I'm happy about that.
Yep. I agree. If they would consider Mo, then go ahead and pursue the sign and trade. We'd be clearing up the logjam at PF and get a bonafide NBA starting small forward, which is something we don't have right now. But for Grif? Pssh....sorry Rashard...no Houston for you.
Actually Jeff, I believe that he does slip into the top 10 of unrestricted FA's next year & might climb higher, because of his age. The best FA's next year are restricted FA's, with the exception of 8+ Rashard. The top unrestricted FA's (imo) are: http://www.realgm.com/src_freeagents.php?year=2002 1) Tim Duncan-assuming he exercises his option. 2) Juwan Howard-going on 31 years old, but still brings a nice low post presence. 3) Brad Miller-young up & coming stud. 4) Jermaine O'Neal-definitely a stud player. 5) Alonzo Mourning-33 years old & health concerns 6) Elden Campbell-35 years old, but solid. 7) Gary Payton-35 years old, but still one of the best. 8) Karl Malone-40 years old, but still very productive. 9) Rashard Lewis-24 years old & improving stats every year. I left Jordan & Pippen off the list, because I doubt that Jordan will leave Washington & Pippen is reportedly planning on retiring. I would expect the really good restricted FA's to be resigned by their respective clubs. However, the Clippers could be the wild card. Who knows what Sterling will do? Another thing to take note of, is that there will be approximately 12 teams with at least $7+ mill under the cap, assuming the cap goes back up to about $42-43 million: http://www.realgm.com/src_teamcap2.php 1) Chicago 2) Cleveland 3) Denver 4) Detroit 5) Indiana 6) Clippers 7) Miami 8) Orlando 9) San Antonio 10) Seattle 11) Utah 12) Washington Indiana & the Clippers could drop out of the running, if they resign all their FA's. That still leaves about 10 teams with significant cap space & doesn't even take into account any S&T's. Edit: Oops, I forgot about Jason Kidd & Rasheed Wallace having player options. However, I still believe that Rashard would knock a couple of the other URF's out of the top 10, like Howard & Campbell.
I believe both of them were involved in a sign and trade with their original teams. Next years free agent calls includes Duncan, McDyess, Kidd, Jermaine Oneal, etc. Life Jeff said, he would not even fetch 60 million next year.
Common say it! You know you want to! OK I'll say it for you. Neither Jordan nor Pippen would be top ten free agents anymore. Especially Quitten. There didn't that feel good.
you can scratch McDyess off that list. He agreed not to use his opt out when he was traded to NY. If enough teams are under the cap I could see Rashard getting 60mill easy.
