May

26

Lewis Will Test Free Agent Waters

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main 

00a1681.jpg
Seattle Supersonics forward Rashard Lewis has decided to opt out of the last two years of his contract, and test the free agent waters. However he says the move does not preclude him from signing a new deal with Seattle. Lewis’ agent Tony Dutt who is based in Houston, made the announcement Friday night that he and his client had informed the club in writing they had decided to take the opt out clause. By voiding the deal they leave a guaranteed $21 million on the table.

There have been rumors that Lewis may stay in the Pacific Northwest, but with another team. The Portland Trail Blazers are known to have interest in Lewis, and they currently have two restricted, and two unrestricted free agents from last years roster. Jamal Magloire, and Ime Udoka are both in the unrestricted category, so they can sign with any team, and Portland would get no compensation. Luke Schenscher, and Travis Outlaw are both restricted free agents, so Portland could match any offer sheet by any other franchise. So in all actuality they will probably have money to sign a high priced free agent. Speculation is that Lewis could command as much as $15 million per year, dwarfing the guaranteed sum that he has left behind.

Portland also has two other options that Lewis may find attractive. Number one is the fact that the Trail Blazers have the first pick in the NBA Draft which they will use on either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, although early odds favor their picking Oden. Second reason is Portland’s coach is Nate McMillan, Lewis’ former coach in Seattle who he has a good relationship. However, he has stated that he has loyalty to the team that drafted him in 1998.

(c) Copyright thesackattack.com 2007



Comments

Leave a Reply