When is $60M not enough? I've never been a Sonics fan but I'm starting to admire their stance. They are being pretty schrewd. Meanwhile, Lewis'a agent has already played his Houston-Dallas cards and now has no more moves.
Rashard returned to Houston w/o a deal signed. This thing could drag out awhile. Should Seattle sign and trade Payton and/or Shard and rebuild? Payton won't be getting any younger.
um...what exactly is rashard trying to accomplish? i mean, he's out of teams he can pretend he is going to sign with, and he sees that the sonics aren't budging. so...what the blood son?
And they're fulfilling THEIR promise. They're offering him more money then he was offered a few years ago.
Seattle would be setting a WONDERFUL example if they told Lewis it's their final offer, take it or leave it. It would really change negotiating as a WHOLE in the NBA. The guy is not worth a PENNY more than they're offering. I'd trade Payton, Lewis, and one of the C's and start re-building. They have a few decent players in Desmond Mason, Radomanovich, and James. Those should be the starters. If, with lewis and Paytong, they can net a PG, a PF, and 2 draft picks, then they're re-built. If they can somehow land Tony Parker, a protected 1st rounder (2005) and an unprotected first rounder (2003) for Payton, that would be a start. The Spurs would then sign Payton to an extension, and that would guarantee Duncan's stay. They can then go on to trade Lewis and Barry for Odom and Wilcox? That would be excellent. There's still one more trade. Calvin Booth to the Knicks for Travis Knight, another contract and a protected draft pick (2004). Here's what you end up with: James/Drobnjak Wilcox/Radomanovic Odom/Radomanovic Desmond Mason Tony Parker This, then there's their own picks, in addition to 2003 pick from San Antonio, 2004 pick from New York, and 2005 pick from San Antonio. Booth Lewis Payton Barry for Tony Parker Chris Wilcox Lamar Odom Travis Knight 3 first rounders (2 protected, one not)
I think they gave him the impression he is worth the max. It might be more about status than the actual figure. If he gets the Max, it says to him that he will be their star and franchise player. 60 mil is a ton of money but may make him 2nd or 3rd most important on the team in the future. With that said, 3-4 yrs from now he may be worth the max. Right now, however, I think the Sonics offer is more than fair. They should have been more careful about how they courted him to get him to sign the last contract. They need to do a sign and trade with smeone other than us or Dallas. What could they get from Chicago or Golden State - teams with young talent and draft picks. They can't just let him walk.
He can always sign a one year deal, I am sure the Sonics would do that. Of course, there is no security in that, now is there? DD
