Frank Hughes form Tacoma News Tribune is saying: Also, a new suitor for Lewis has popped up. With word getting out that Lewis is unhappy in his dealings with the Sonics, a source said the Houston Rockets are attempting to contact him to entice him to stay in his hometown. However, the Rockets are attempting to acquire Lewis via a sign-and-trade deal, while the Mavericks want to sign him to an individual contract. http://www.tribnet.com/sports/story/1471341p-1589474c.html I would say, that Mo Taylor is the perfect candidate. He was very close to signing with the Sonics before coming to Houston. My other idea is Cato + Kenny Thomas. Both scenarios would be amazing Greetz Micha³
Thanks, I just cannot see how the Rocks with logjams at the 1, 3, 4 and 5 cannot be a major player in the Lewis game. Anything Dallas can offer we can plus he would be home and not close to home.
Do you really think the Sonics would do a sign-and-trade: Rashard straight up for Mo. I doubt it. They will want another player, or a draft pick. Would they take Taylor and TMO? Nachbar is signed so it looks like we intend to keep him. They'll want Moochie or something. Does anyone have info on exactly what's being offered or discussed?
Damn I'd ditch Mootchie and Mot/Cato anyday for Rashard. Hmm that would free up around 13 M next year in cap room and reduce the jam at PF and backup PG. ONly problem is, if we do not get a center in return, then big Jason Collier and/or Ike Nwanko are the backup 5s. Then we are assuming Ming is going to start for us.
One would have to think that the Rocks would be offering MoTay or KT as the center piece of the trade (to clear the logjam at the 4). MoTay makes the most trade sense, because KT's salary is not close to matching what Rashard is asking. I actually don't see the Sonics interested in any of the Rocks big salary players like Rice or MoTay or Mooch or Cato. MoTay may generate some interest in Seattle, but his injury and drug suspension are real concerns. I can see the Sonics interested in Collier (small salary and contract throw in), KT, Nachbar, and Torres. None of these players has a big salary or unfortunately that much of an upside as compared to Rashard. From Seattle's perspective, I think Seattle will demand one of Rocks untouchables like Catino. Steve, Eddie, and Ming are not even on the table.
Best case scenario is S&T MoT/Rice for Lewis. This would free our log jam at the 4 and give Eddie the starting job. It would also strengthen our 3 spot enormously. However, Seattle will never do this trade. Why would they blow 13 mil on Mo/Rice when they can spend that on Lewis? On the other hand, Seattle just traded Vin Baker, which means their 4 spot is free - perfect for Mo. I don't think Seattle would mind taking Mo, but they're going to want more. But what? Maybe TMo? No way they want Rice. Mooch? All have bloated contracts. Bottom line, we will be VERY lucky to pull a S&T for Lewis. Work your magic, Rudy/CD.
I was just told by a friend that the problem with doing a sign and trade with Seattle for Lewis is that when re-signed Lewis would be a BYC salary. Which makes it almost impossible to trade for him without including a team under the cap. Which would mean we need a three team trade with somebody like the Clippers or Chicago. Anybody have more info on that? --Drof
Noworries, if Rice can average 15 pts over the next two year and the contract come off, Seattle could be interested especially if KT is in the deal; a young power forward which they do not have. Will the BYC allow that? I do not know.
If anyone should go, it shouldnt be moochie or Cato. It should be Rice. If we are going to get Rashard, then Rice needs to be the one out, or Nachbar will never see the light of day.
Plus Rez, the salaries are close. Rice in the $9mil range which is close to what Lewis may take. Then of course, Seattle needs a PF and KT is as good as any available. They may want to take Clark instead. ???!!!
guys, if we want a sign and trade, it's going to be difficult because Lewis will be a BYC player. It wont simply be "Rice for Lewis" or "Cato + Mooch for Lewis" or whatever. It would have to be a 3 team trade where the 3rd team takes on a contract for us to make the trade work cap-wise. A straight up sign and trade with Seattle to Houston wont work.
I'm just thinking here. Cap experts can tell me why this won't work. Isn't rashard making about 4.5 million now? if he's seriously thinking about signing with someone else for the exception anyway, couldn't the sonics just sign him to a one year 4.5 million deal and then do a sign and trade with the Rockets? He's not getting a raise, so he wouldn't be considered a BYC player. And lets say the trade does happen, would Lewis keep his Bird Rights so after the 2002-2003 season the Rockets could sign him to a big contract? This way Rashard only would have to go one year with the midlevel exception rather than the three he would need to regain his Bird Rights, and the Sonics would at least come out with something which is better than nothing. I'm sure there's some rule that would prevent this.
Seattle does not want a S&T. Even if they do, we don't have anything we are willing to trade for Lewis. I admire all those who dream of great trades for the Rockets but the other side has to agree too. It'll be great to trade Rice for Lewis but that's not going to happen. Not bad to trade Mo-T for Lewis but that's not going to happen. Why would Seattle want a Mo-T if for the same $$ they can have Lewis? Adding another player to Mo-T for the trade wouldn't do it. Do you think that highly of TMorris? We can't trade away Kato since he's needed here and Seattle not stupid enough to want him. It's sign for the Mid Level 4.5 mil or nothing for Lewis if he wants to come back to Houston. Sure, Rockets want to S&T their big contracts away for Lewis but will Seattle go for it? Not unless you put a gun to their heads and while Lewis is good, he's not that good.
Verb, do you know who is Sonics PF? What are their options for getting one? Probably the answers to these will signal how willing they are to make a trade.
This is from Coon's CBA FAQ's: "The free agent in question must have played for three seasons without being waived or changing teams as a free agent. This means a player can obtain "Bird rights" by playing under three one-year contracts, a single contract of at least three years, or any combination. It also means that when a player is traded, his Bird rights are traded with him, and his new team can use the Bird exception to re-sign him." Your scenario is good for Rashard and good for the Rockets. Now, what's in it for the Sonics? Even w/o Lewis as a BYC player, the Sonics have to take in ~$4.5m in salary. Who do we have at that price that they would want? Other than Lewis for the MCE, I think a 3rd team is the only way this gets done even w/o the BYC status.
I did not read the article but an S&T is possible under the CBA if a team under the cap is involved. The teams under the cap are the Clipps and Bulls for sure and I believe the Wiz are still under the cap. Perhaps the writer said "improbable"?
