To keep the one-time All-Star, the Sonics would have had to offer the 6-foot-10 forward a six-year, $124 million deal, which would have trumped the Magic's five-year, $97 million offer. If the teams complete a sign-and- trade deal, Orlando would be responsible for $124 million.

"I don't know if anybody knows how good Rashard really is because he's done a great job of adapting his whole career," said Ray Allen, the former Sonic traded to Boston on draft day. "He's played with me and he's played with Gary [Payton]. Two different personalities. I never thought Rashard played second fiddle, it's just that Gary and myself are very demonstrative when we play basketball.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003783862_soni11.html
From Seattle's side. I hope this helps with all those theories that it is not possible.

if they sign darko i still think they are going to be tough for years with a good core of nelson, ariza, reddick, darko, howard and lewis

follow up question...who *wins* the darko sweepstakes?

memphis? chicago? seattle? atlanta? nets? charlotte? liberty?

[Edited by - djsunyc on 07-11-2007 12:53 PM]

btw, seattle now gets a wicked trade exemption too.

btw, what will gerald wallaces deal look like now?

Posted by djsunyc:

btw, what will gerald wallaces deal look like now?

What will Starbury's extension look like now?

Posted by TrueBlue:

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Rashard Lewis formally joined the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, leaving the Seattle SuperSonics after nine seasons when the teams completed a sign-and-trade deal for the high-scoring forward.

The Magic sent Seattle a conditional second-round pick, while the SuperSonics earned a trade exception believed to be in the $9 million range.

Lewis agreed to terms with the Magic earlier this month, yet no deal could be closed until Wednesday, the first day that the league's free agent moratorium was lifted. The six-year deal -- Lewis agreed to a five-year pact, but the sign-and-trade allows an extra year to be worked into the contract -- is expected to be worth at least $110 million.
"Rashard is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league," Orlando general manager Otis Smith said. "We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family."

So from various sources I've read it's $127mil(Sonicscentral) $126mil(UK), $124mil(UK), $118mil & $100(Realgm) $110mil(Insidehoops) LOL!

Either way the Magic paid a hell of a lot more than they should have. Probably double.

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by TrueBlue:

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Rashard Lewis formally joined the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, leaving the Seattle SuperSonics after nine seasons when the teams completed a sign-and-trade deal for the high-scoring forward.

The Magic sent Seattle a conditional second-round pick, while the SuperSonics earned a trade exception believed to be in the $9 million range.

Lewis agreed to terms with the Magic earlier this month, yet no deal could be closed until Wednesday, the first day that the league's free agent moratorium was lifted. The six-year deal -- Lewis agreed to a five-year pact, but the sign-and-trade allows an extra year to be worked into the contract -- is expected to be worth at least $110 million.
"Rashard is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league," Orlando general manager Otis Smith said. "We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family."

So from various sources I've read it's $127mil(Sonicscentral) $126mil(UK), $124mil(UK), $118mil & $100(Realgm) $110mil(Insidehoops) LOL!

Either way the Magic paid a hell of a lot more than they should have. Probably double.

I thought he was going to sign for $85mil no matter where he ended up. He was coming off a $60mil contract and he improved as a player over the course so obviously he was going to get a substantial raise, but yes he's overpaid.

On another note...

It's amazing how Seattle rebuilt their franchise in a matter of 3 weeks but we can't rebuild here because it's just impossible to do.

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by TrueBlue:

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Rashard Lewis formally joined the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, leaving the Seattle SuperSonics after nine seasons when the teams completed a sign-and-trade deal for the high-scoring forward.

The Magic sent Seattle a conditional second-round pick, while the SuperSonics earned a trade exception believed to be in the $9 million range.

Lewis agreed to terms with the Magic earlier this month, yet no deal could be closed until Wednesday, the first day that the league's free agent moratorium was lifted. The six-year deal -- Lewis agreed to a five-year pact, but the sign-and-trade allows an extra year to be worked into the contract -- is expected to be worth at least $110 million.
"Rashard is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league," Orlando general manager Otis Smith said. "We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family."

So from various sources I've read it's $127mil(Sonicscentral) $126mil(UK), $124mil(UK), $118mil & $100(Realgm) $110mil(Insidehoops) LOL!

Either way the Magic paid a hell of a lot more than they should have. Probably double.

I thought he was going to sign for $85mil no matter where he ended up. He was coming off a $60mil contract and he improved as a player over the course so obviously he was going to get a substantial raise, but yes he's overpaid.

On another note...

It's amazing how Seattle rebuilt their franchise in a matter of 3 weeks but we can't rebuild here because it's just impossible to do.

Really? So Seattles now a finished product? I expect nothing less than Western conf. finals...

"Rebuilt" is the last word I'd use to describe the Sonice right now, especially after Durant's first few outings as a pro.

Posted by JrZyHuStLa:

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by TrueBlue:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by TrueBlue:

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Rashard Lewis formally joined the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, leaving the Seattle SuperSonics after nine seasons when the teams completed a sign-and-trade deal for the high-scoring forward.

The Magic sent Seattle a conditional second-round pick, while the SuperSonics earned a trade exception believed to be in the $9 million range.

Lewis agreed to terms with the Magic earlier this month, yet no deal could be closed until Wednesday, the first day that the league's free agent moratorium was lifted. The six-year deal -- Lewis agreed to a five-year pact, but the sign-and-trade allows an extra year to be worked into the contract -- is expected to be worth at least $110 million.
"Rashard is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league," Orlando general manager Otis Smith said. "We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family."

So from various sources I've read it's $127mil(Sonicscentral) $126mil(UK), $124mil(UK), $118mil & $100(Realgm) $110mil(Insidehoops) LOL!

Either way the Magic paid a hell of a lot more than they should have. Probably double.

I thought he was going to sign for $85mil no matter where he ended up. He was coming off a $60mil contract and he improved as a player over the course so obviously he was going to get a substantial raise, but yes he's overpaid.

On another note...

It's amazing how Seattle rebuilt their franchise in a matter of 3 weeks but we can't rebuild here because it's just impossible to do.

Really? So Seattles now a finished product? I expect nothing less than Western conf. finals...

"Rebuilt" is the last word I'd use to describe the Sonice right now, especially after Durant's first few outings as a pro.

Premature in the word chosen, I meant they've almost completely laid the groundwork. They tore down their franchise in a matter of weeks. In 2009/2010 they'll be set. They won't be saying for 5yrs they are an unfinished product like we have been.