Post by Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb 27, 2010 20:22:43 GMT -5
2/27/10
During the past two summers in the NBA, there has been blockbuster trades, risky moves on draft day, and fundamental off-season transactions that have shaken up the league. But, with all the movement in these offseasons, there has never been a huge bidding war over a marquee player hitting the free agent market that could absolutely shake up the league. Devin Harris last year? A young emerging player, but no superstar. Monta Ellis? Very high upside, but still a lot of risks. With the sign-and-trade era coming to an end (but still alive), it was hard to imagine a proven, polished scorer that could make an impact right away not being resigned and placed in the free agent pool. Well, in a turn of events right before the contract extension period was finalized, a controversy in the front office stormed the league.
The conflict was a flaming inferno, devouring all those who had some to gain, and many to lose from the interests that were being argued over. The Golden State Warriors, headed by their rookie GM, offered his star player and soon to be free agent - Rashard Lewis - a two-year contract extension worth a total of 25 million. Hardly the type of money a star player in this league is looking for - Lewis', through his player agent, rejected this extension, and furthermore, refused to return to the team. This provided the free agent pool with it's premier payer (although some, including myself, would argue Baron Davis as the lead). Normally, after a rejected contract extension, the player would enter free agency. But, during the midst of a rule which interpretation was rather hazy, the Warriors tried to turn Lewis around in a sign-and-trade to the Boston Celtics, still believing he owned his rights. In the mix-up and misinterpretation of the aforementioned rule, tempers flared. Allegations of cheating were thrown around, and insults were fired back. The General Managers of the Warriors, Celtics, and most notably the Charlotte Bobcats were engulfed by their own fiery tempers, and the conflict grew bigger and bigger.
Then, the ruling came: once Rashard Lewis had rejected the extension offer, he became a free agent. The Warriors no longer owned his rights. So, with all of this, what does Mr. Lewis think? "Obviously, my previous stint with Golden State was enjoyable. It's sad to see my time in California end like this, but I'm looking forward to exploring my options and finding a new home." Also, if $25 million wasn't enough to bring him back, Lewis is looking forward to his big, new contract.
Rashard Lewis hits the free agency looking like a nice dinner to a bunch of patiently waiting sharks. Many teams have extensive cap room to work with this offseason, but who has the biggest shot of bringing him in? Lets look a little closer at the "Rashard Lewis Sweepstakes Power Rankings".
1. Charlotte Bobcats (16 million in cap space)
Ah, how sweet would victory taste if the Charlotte Bobcats could sign Rashard Lewis? Although many saw a conflict of interest in Charlotte's dislike of the attempted sign-and trade of Lewis, did anyone point out that Charlotte actually gave up the rights as Lewis' player agent in respect to his desire to sign him? The Bobcats have 16 million in cap space, around the right amount to make a run at Rashard. They also have the foundation of a winning team, and the addition of Lewis could put them over the top. Who wouldn't want to play with Allen Iverson, Dwight Howard and Grant Hill? With Lewis, they could have the veteran leadership combined with a youthful push with the likes of James Harden and Rodney Stuckey, which would be very lethal. Also, something tells me a Dwight Howard - Rashard Lewis combo could work out quite well. Hm...
2. [img src="http://lp.imageg.net/prod?set=key[name],value[LEWIS]&set=key[number],value[7]&set=key[displaysize],value[220]&load=url[http://chains.imageg.net/graphics/dynamic/chains/p5317470_customback.chain]"] Boston Celtics (Around 15 million in cap space)
Who better to take a shot at Lewis than the team who tried to trade for him? Obviously, the Celtics are very interested. They have the cap space to take a run at him, and how dynamic would a Kevin Durant-Rashard Lewis-Amare Stoudemire frontcourt be? I can already see Boston fans everywhere drooling at the thought of it. And, how big would the Boston Celtics GM grin be if he defeats his adversary in the Lewis debate, GM Bowen of the Charlotte Bobcats? At any rate, the Celtics look to have the cap space, team makeup, and winning intangibles that would attract the services of Lewis.
3. Houston Rockets (Around 17 million in cap space)
The Houston Rockets have a starting lineup currently of Chris Paul, Josh Childress, Caron Butler, Andris Beidrins at center, and.. Robert Swift at power forward? With $17 million in cap space, where could they possibly spend their money? Look no further than Rashard Lewis, who could fill in that starting lineup very nicely. Houston has all the tools to make a run at Lewis, and it's very interesting to note that Rashard is actually from Houston. A Houston Homecoming, anyone?
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (Around 23 million in cap space)
Although the Timberwolves can't really make the case of team success as much as a Charlotte or Boston, there is no denying that this team is very talented. Josh Smith and Derrick Rose aren't exactly scrubs. In fact, they are far from it. Adding Lewis would add instant credibility to this squad, and any team with over $20 million in cap space that knew this would be very enticed to offer Rashard quite a hefty contract. The Timberwolves, if they decide to make a run at Rashard Lewis, could make quite a lot of noise.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (Around 29 million in cap space)
This could be the dark horse team in this race. Although some may not think that Los Angeles would take a shot at someone of Lewis' caliber, there is no denying that the power of the dollar is very enticing. The Lakers have more of something that teams cannot simply offer as much of, and that is money. They also have Kobe Bryant, which could definitely be a swinging factor for any free agent. Money speaks, and the Lakers have plenty of it.
It looks to be a very, very fine looking summer for Mr. Rashard Lewi$.
During the past two summers in the NBA, there has been blockbuster trades, risky moves on draft day, and fundamental off-season transactions that have shaken up the league. But, with all the movement in these offseasons, there has never been a huge bidding war over a marquee player hitting the free agent market that could absolutely shake up the league. Devin Harris last year? A young emerging player, but no superstar. Monta Ellis? Very high upside, but still a lot of risks. With the sign-and-trade era coming to an end (but still alive), it was hard to imagine a proven, polished scorer that could make an impact right away not being resigned and placed in the free agent pool. Well, in a turn of events right before the contract extension period was finalized, a controversy in the front office stormed the league.
The conflict was a flaming inferno, devouring all those who had some to gain, and many to lose from the interests that were being argued over. The Golden State Warriors, headed by their rookie GM, offered his star player and soon to be free agent - Rashard Lewis - a two-year contract extension worth a total of 25 million. Hardly the type of money a star player in this league is looking for - Lewis', through his player agent, rejected this extension, and furthermore, refused to return to the team. This provided the free agent pool with it's premier payer (although some, including myself, would argue Baron Davis as the lead). Normally, after a rejected contract extension, the player would enter free agency. But, during the midst of a rule which interpretation was rather hazy, the Warriors tried to turn Lewis around in a sign-and-trade to the Boston Celtics, still believing he owned his rights. In the mix-up and misinterpretation of the aforementioned rule, tempers flared. Allegations of cheating were thrown around, and insults were fired back. The General Managers of the Warriors, Celtics, and most notably the Charlotte Bobcats were engulfed by their own fiery tempers, and the conflict grew bigger and bigger.
Then, the ruling came: once Rashard Lewis had rejected the extension offer, he became a free agent. The Warriors no longer owned his rights. So, with all of this, what does Mr. Lewis think? "Obviously, my previous stint with Golden State was enjoyable. It's sad to see my time in California end like this, but I'm looking forward to exploring my options and finding a new home." Also, if $25 million wasn't enough to bring him back, Lewis is looking forward to his big, new contract.
Rashard Lewis hits the free agency looking like a nice dinner to a bunch of patiently waiting sharks. Many teams have extensive cap room to work with this offseason, but who has the biggest shot of bringing him in? Lets look a little closer at the "Rashard Lewis Sweepstakes Power Rankings".
1. Charlotte Bobcats (16 million in cap space)
Ah, how sweet would victory taste if the Charlotte Bobcats could sign Rashard Lewis? Although many saw a conflict of interest in Charlotte's dislike of the attempted sign-and trade of Lewis, did anyone point out that Charlotte actually gave up the rights as Lewis' player agent in respect to his desire to sign him? The Bobcats have 16 million in cap space, around the right amount to make a run at Rashard. They also have the foundation of a winning team, and the addition of Lewis could put them over the top. Who wouldn't want to play with Allen Iverson, Dwight Howard and Grant Hill? With Lewis, they could have the veteran leadership combined with a youthful push with the likes of James Harden and Rodney Stuckey, which would be very lethal. Also, something tells me a Dwight Howard - Rashard Lewis combo could work out quite well. Hm...
2. [img src="http://lp.imageg.net/prod?set=key[name],value[LEWIS]&set=key[number],value[7]&set=key[displaysize],value[220]&load=url[http://chains.imageg.net/graphics/dynamic/chains/p5317470_customback.chain]"] Boston Celtics (Around 15 million in cap space)
Who better to take a shot at Lewis than the team who tried to trade for him? Obviously, the Celtics are very interested. They have the cap space to take a run at him, and how dynamic would a Kevin Durant-Rashard Lewis-Amare Stoudemire frontcourt be? I can already see Boston fans everywhere drooling at the thought of it. And, how big would the Boston Celtics GM grin be if he defeats his adversary in the Lewis debate, GM Bowen of the Charlotte Bobcats? At any rate, the Celtics look to have the cap space, team makeup, and winning intangibles that would attract the services of Lewis.
3. Houston Rockets (Around 17 million in cap space)
The Houston Rockets have a starting lineup currently of Chris Paul, Josh Childress, Caron Butler, Andris Beidrins at center, and.. Robert Swift at power forward? With $17 million in cap space, where could they possibly spend their money? Look no further than Rashard Lewis, who could fill in that starting lineup very nicely. Houston has all the tools to make a run at Lewis, and it's very interesting to note that Rashard is actually from Houston. A Houston Homecoming, anyone?
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (Around 23 million in cap space)
Although the Timberwolves can't really make the case of team success as much as a Charlotte or Boston, there is no denying that this team is very talented. Josh Smith and Derrick Rose aren't exactly scrubs. In fact, they are far from it. Adding Lewis would add instant credibility to this squad, and any team with over $20 million in cap space that knew this would be very enticed to offer Rashard quite a hefty contract. The Timberwolves, if they decide to make a run at Rashard Lewis, could make quite a lot of noise.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (Around 29 million in cap space)
This could be the dark horse team in this race. Although some may not think that Los Angeles would take a shot at someone of Lewis' caliber, there is no denying that the power of the dollar is very enticing. The Lakers have more of something that teams cannot simply offer as much of, and that is money. They also have Kobe Bryant, which could definitely be a swinging factor for any free agent. Money speaks, and the Lakers have plenty of it.
It looks to be a very, very fine looking summer for Mr. Rashard Lewi$.