just a blurb from ESPN
3. Rashard Lewis, forward, Sonics.
Free-agency status: Has the right to terminate his contract.
Interested teams: Sonics, Rockets, Wizards, Bulls.
The best fit? Bulls.
The hope of the entire city of Seattle used to rest on this guy re-signing. But after another so-so year, the Sonics aren't so sure that Lewis is their franchise player. He hasn't exactly seized the leadership role. The Sonics want him back, but at what price? Lewis wants the max and the Sonics are rightly balking. He's good, but he isn't that good. Lewis has been pushing to land with his hometown Rockets. But with Glen Rice, Bostjan Nachbar and Eddie Griffin all in the fold, he'd be lost in the Yao Ming media monsoon. So why doesn't Lewis consider hooking up with the Bulls? They're the only team with any significant cap room and they really need an athletic, sharp-shooting small forward. He'd have to settle for $3 million less a season, but he'd be on an up-and-coming team filled with young players in similar situations. The Sonics, if they sign Lewis to the max, will be in disarray after Gary Payton bolts next season. The Bulls would even be willing to work out a sign-and-trade for Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer. If the Bulls could pull off that deal, they'd make a strong run at the playoffs next season and Lewis would be a big part of it.
3. Rashard Lewis, forward, Sonics.
Free-agency status: Has the right to terminate his contract.
Interested teams: Sonics, Rockets, Wizards, Bulls.
The best fit? Bulls.
The hope of the entire city of Seattle used to rest on this guy re-signing. But after another so-so year, the Sonics aren't so sure that Lewis is their franchise player. He hasn't exactly seized the leadership role. The Sonics want him back, but at what price? Lewis wants the max and the Sonics are rightly balking. He's good, but he isn't that good. Lewis has been pushing to land with his hometown Rockets. But with Glen Rice, Bostjan Nachbar and Eddie Griffin all in the fold, he'd be lost in the Yao Ming media monsoon. So why doesn't Lewis consider hooking up with the Bulls? They're the only team with any significant cap room and they really need an athletic, sharp-shooting small forward. He'd have to settle for $3 million less a season, but he'd be on an up-and-coming team filled with young players in similar situations. The Sonics, if they sign Lewis to the max, will be in disarray after Gary Payton bolts next season. The Bulls would even be willing to work out a sign-and-trade for Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer. If the Bulls could pull off that deal, they'd make a strong run at the playoffs next season and Lewis would be a big part of it.
