<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It seems likely that Rashard Lewis will not accept the extension and will choose to opt out of his contract on July 1 and become an unrestricted free agent, according to Lewis’ new agent, Tony Dutt. “We’ll make a decision soon but we are leaning toward opting out,” said Dutt, whom Lewis hired over the All-Star break after parting ways with Kevin Poston. Sonics general manager Rick Sund declined to address Lewis’s contract, saying, “I told Rashard from the beginning I would not discuss any negotiations I have had with him or his representatives.”</div> Source Smart move on his part. A two year extension, even at 25 million, won't maximize his earning potential. His contract would be up in 2011 and at age 31 he probably would not be able to get the type of deal that he would want in his negotiations. He is going for the big pay day that will keep him under contract for another 6 years -- so he won't have to worry about the free agent process until he is 33. I'd say give him the six w/ only a slight raise from his last deal. Something like a 6 year 65 million dollar extension. They can back load the contract so it doesn't take up too much of the cap and if we do look to trade him then the other team would have to absorb most of his salary. Maybe give him a 10% raise each year. He deserves the pay raise and I hope that he can play his entire career in the Emerald City. Thoughts?
I think hiring a new agent was always an indication that he was looking to opt out, and to be honest I can't see why he wouldn't. His last two seasons have been his most consistent and he's gone from an inconsistent swingman who is capable of big nights to a genuine NBA scorer who gives you 20-25 every single night. He is in his prime, so I don't see why he'd settle for a two year extension when he can get the last really big contract of his career. We'll have to cough up to keep him and that is fair enough.
I love Rashard and all, but if the Sonics are committed to rebuilding, another big contract is a bad way to start.
That's the other issue here, especially on a player who realistically is never going to be a franchise guy or close to it.
But at the same time he is only 27 years old and I would like to think that we will at least get 4 borderline All-Stars years out of him. He isn't a player that is reliant on his athleticism. He is always going to be 6'10" and he is always going to be able to shoot. And he will be a very good bargaining chip when it comes to trades. We can't afford to let him walk for nothing, so we have to get the deal done. Ray Allen maybe the face of the franchise but at the end of the day I think that the NW faithful can relate much better with Sweet Lew b/c they watched him mature from a kid to a man.
IMO the bobcats are the best choice for him... although i WOULD like the lakers to sign and trade for him maybe the kidd package lol anyway... i think the bobcats can pick him up since MJ promised that they would spend
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES -- The Sonics have every reason to scrap to win every game down the stretch instead of resorting to using younger players and improving their draft status. Not only are the Sonics playing to secure coach Bob Hill and general manager Rick Sund's jobs for next season, forward Rashard Lewis is closely watching the team's progress as it approaches next season. The Sonics made sure to lock down a core of their players to long-term contracts, including Ray Allen, Luke Ridnour, Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison and Damien Wilkins. There is one major omission (Lewis) and it will emerge as the Sonics' central offseason issue as the organization tries desperately to produce a playoff team next season. Lewis has the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, testing the free-agent market for the first time since falling to the second round of the 1998 NBA draft. Lewis, 27, has long wondered about his status among the game's standout players. His quandary is a common one for athletes as they enter their first potential free-agent experience. Should Lewis remain in Seattle, where he could retire as one of the franchise's all-time great players? Should he remain in a city where he is beloved not only because he improved dramatically since being drafted out of high school, but also because he has a crystal-clean image and a strong loyalty to the organization? Or should Lewis explore free agency and draw big contract offers and potential sign-and-trade deals from interested clubs who want a 6-foot-10 swingman who can shoot from 3-point range and is improving his ball-handling and driving skills? Besides Vince Carter, who also has the option of voiding his contract, Lewis could be the most attractive free agent in the mix, especially for a team such as Orlando, which has targeted the 2007 free-agent class to upgrade its team to a title contender. "I will talk with my agent and come up with a decision," Lewis said recently about his new agent, Tony Dutt. "It's tough to be on this team and remember the playoffs and know our season will be ending in April again. I feel responsible for getting hurt and that hurt our team, but I want to know that our team is in a good position for the future."</div> Sonics' Progress Will Affect Lewis
