Report: Rashard Officially Opts Out
25th May, 2007 - 11:20 pm
KRIV/ESPN -
According to KRIV in Houston, Rashard Lewis has officially opted out of the final two years of his contract on Friday so he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Tony Dutt, Lewis' agent, has made Seattle aware of his client's decision.

"He has decided to opt out and he'll be an unrestricted free agent July 1st," Dutt said, according to KRIV. "We had to do it in writing which we have done already." With Seattle poised to select Kevin Durant with the 2nd pick in the draft, it was a obvious decision for Lewis to leave. Now with a possible youth movement starting, it is plausable for the Sonics to make a trade with the New York Knicks involving Ray Allen and the Sonics 31st and 35th picks to the Knicks for local products, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Jerome James and the Knicks 23rd pick.[READ]

Seattle Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Ray Allen
6-5 SG from Connecticut
26.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg in 40.4 minutes
2007 Draft #31 Pick
0-0 from
No games yet played in 2006/07
2007 Draft #35 Pick
0-0 from
No games yet played in 2006/07
Incoming
Jamal Crawford
6-5 SG from Michigan
17.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.4 apg in 37.3 minutes
Jerome James
7-1 C from Florida A&M
1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.1 apg in 6.6 minutes
Nate Robinson
5-9 PG from Washington
10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg in 21.2 minutes
2007 Draft #23 Pick
0-0 from
No games yet played in 2006/07
Change in team outlook: +3.2 ppg, +2.7 rpg, and +1.7 apg.


New York Trade Breakdown
Outgoing
Jamal Crawford
6-5 SG from Michigan
17.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.4 apg in 37.3 minutes
Jerome James
7-1 C from Florida A&M
1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.1 apg in 6.6 minutes
Nate Robinson
5-9 PG from Washington
10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg in 21.2 minutes
2007 Draft #23 Pick
0-0 from
No games yet played in 2006/07
Incoming
Ray Allen
6-5 SG from Connecticut
26.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg in 40.4 minutes
Change in team outlook: -3.2 ppg, -2.7 rpg, and -1.7 apg.



Successful Scenario
Due to Seattle and New York being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Seattle and New York had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Trade ID
Every trade made by fans is allocated a unique Trade ID which you can share with friends and fellow basketball fans to allow them to see your trade scenario. The Trade ID for this scenario is 3835561.

"Wilkens, this is Isiah calling..." Click.

That's about how far the conversation will go.

Posted by martin:

"Wilkens, this is Isiah calling..." Click.

That's about how far the conversation will go.

It would more likely be Grunwald that does most of the calling to guys that supposedly don't like Isiah. In truth Lenny got paid, so I don't know how much animosity he really has towards isiah. As long as a deal is in the best interests of a GM's team they'll make a deal with guys they may not like.

Posted by MaTT4281:

Posted by martin:

"Wilkens, this is Isiah calling..." Click.

That's about how far the conversation will go.

Really? I'd think as soon as they hear the name Isiah, they'd think, "Finally, it's our turn!"

LOL ok, good one!

Joe Johnson is a 25 PPG all-star. I don't see him being available unless we offer all our young players.

yea but would Lewis be able to handle any of the rugged PFs in the post??

Can rashard guard the bigger power fwds? Who would he have to worry about exactly? In the event that there would be a size advantage the knicks could go with David lee or just have balkman guard the bigger guy. Balkman can guard 4 positions if isiah needs him to and he proved he could do that last season.

This is coming from a dude that doesn't like rashard Lewis game. Its just options. This team has to pick a path and go full Monty with it ASAP.

SHard won't put us over the top though with the amount of money he's asking you would think he would. I'd pass.

Its something to think about.

The knicks are kinda in limbo with the backcourt. We assume that Francis will be bought out or traded, but he makes too much. Isiah could move craw easier cuz craw is still kinda young and very talented. That craw, Nate, Jerome James and 23 is a nasty packedge. Seattle could then look to cash out on ray Allen too and still be very compeditive especially with durant and Wilcox on the wings. They could trade ray to clevland and for some fillers and picks.

Ok take a look at this again:

Craw, Nate, Jerome James and 23 for rashard Lewis and both of their second rounders.

That still leaves channing and Jared. A combination of Jared and channing on a team like the lakers could work. Someone could bite especially if the knicks get back what looks to be the worst of the deal.

This would be a nice revamp.

Posted by djsunyc:

jamal and nate may have no appeal b/c there's a very high chance the sonics leave seattle.

secondly, apparently aaron goodwin (crawford's agent) has a very poor relationship with the sonics so that doesn't help the situation.

Great point. Aaron Goodwin is not liked at least by the former regime there. Gary Payton and Goodwin wore out their welcome and was a large reason why he was traded. Lenny will not deal with us and Clay Bennett will make decisions that make sense business wise. All this local product talk of Nate and Crawford is comical at best.