MISSED DEADLINE MAY HAUNT LEWIS
By PETER VECSEY

June 19, 2007 -- WE all learn sooner or later (some the hard way) there's no penalty if the IRS receives our completed tax form after the deadline as long as it's postmarked earlier. From what I understand, contract law is different. Miss a specific date for opting out or exercising a clause and you've missed your opening. Execute the process in advance, you've also blown the deal.

I may be utterly off base, but that's my perception.

If my information is accurate, Rashard Lewis may not have met the requirement to become one of the NBA's most desirable free agents.

If accurate, the Sonics' 28-year-old (on Aug. 8) All-Star (2005) has two guaranteed years ($10,129,870 and $10,909,091) remaining on an agreement signed five years ago when he was represented by Kevin Poston.

If accurate, new agent Tony Dutt mishandled critical paperwork regarding his client's escape option.

According to a lawyer privy to the language in Lewis' contract, in order to void his obligation to the Sonics in 2007-08 and 2008-09, he had to do it in writing and deliver it personally or by registered mail either on the date of his team's last game (regular season or playoffs) or on June 1, 2007 . . . whichever was later. Fastened to that stipulation is a five-day grace period; hence, June 5 was the cut-off date.

Late May reports (AP/ESPN) out of Houston, where Lewis lives in the offseason, quoted Dutt saying he'd officially alerted the Sonics in writing on Friday, May 25 (or maybe Saturday, May 26) his client had opted out.

Both days, bordering Memorial Day weekend, were cited by Dutt. He was unsure. But it sure wasn't April 18, when the Sonics' season ended in a rout by Dallas. And it sure wasn't within the predetermined June 1 to June 5 time limit.

If this argument is accurate, Lewis has forfeited colossal leverage.

If Lewis' maneuvering has been curbed, there goes the twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a rich millionaire. Think it didn't pay to get a jump-start out of high school? Think that might've been on David Stern's mind when he implanted a minimum age of 19?

If free to bargain with all 30 teams, Lewis would be assured of getting overpaid (try convincing him he's not worth the max; $12 million to $14 million, at worst) by the Sonics (Kevin Durant's pending arrival should enhance Rashard's contribution not eradicate it . . . unless relatively new owner Clay Bennett plans to progress on the cheap) or someone else.

As we've all learned time and time again in this business as unusual called professional sports, there's always someone else.

Has Lewis become the NBA's free agent faux pas? The league's version of the 49ers' Terrell Owens? Is Seattle management aware of the apparent breach of contract?

A call to freshly installed GM Sam Presti was made late yesterday afternoon. I decided not to leave a message explaining my exact reason for reaching out. I hear he's pretty busy head coach hunting and is close to making a decision; P.J. Carlesimo appears to have the edge over Rick Carlisle and Dwane Casey.

Assistant GM/legal VP Rich Cho is the team's lone front office leftover. I suspect this might the first time a significant Sonic has opted out on his watch. He might want take the time to scrutinize the fine print.

Is this big news or a non-issue? Is Lewis on line to become free on July 1 or is Dutt on direct course to be his very next ex-agent?

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Reggie Theus, says someone always in the know, has emerged as the favorite (over Brian Shaw and Scott Brooks) to become the Kings' head coach.

Note to Kobe Bryant: Jerry West has consented to remain employed as a long distance consultant when his Grizzlies contract expires July 1. That was in stone whether or not West Virginia native Chris Wallace was hired as GM (he signed yesterday). Another management person might come on board in a secondary capacity - third if you count Marc Iavaroni, signed first, the precise opposite of how things are supposed to be done.

A source in Los Angeles contends Rob Pelinka, Kobe's rancid rep, contacted the Magic to gauge interest in his client. I hate to disillusion my audience, but there's a whole lot of that going on - "Catch us, if you can, commissioner" - where trades and free agents are concerned.

Greg Oden remains the consensus pick of the litter in the NBA Draft, but aren't the Blazers overloaded at center? Don't they exhibit a glaring cavity at small forward? So, why not take Durant? Because probably they can acquire someone like Antawn Jamison (one year left at $17.4M) for Randolph ($13.3M/$14.6M/$16M/$17.3M). Should Oden be the pull, surely Portland will go out of its way to unload Joel Przybilla's four-year, $26M obligation. Word has it the Wizards and Suns are discussing a Jamison-Shawn Marion swap as well.

We end today's epistle with a belated Father's Day salute to Shawn Kemp, who happens to be down on LeBron James for having two kids out of wedlock with the same woman.

Hey, Nalods laptop works in other countries, 7 hours ahead, so its nite time here.

back to Lewis,

In my world his agent/attorney should (if this is a problem in all actuality) get fired but that does not change the real problem.

Problem is nobody takes care of business like your business and this is not rocket science to sit down and read your opt out clause in YOUR CONTRACT!!!

Ok, the kid is barely a high school graduated studant which does not make him Bonn3po, but while wealth cannot buy your intellegence, its not a bad idea to be a half with and still look over your affairs. It ain't like the kid got any time or anything. Especially since April.

Posted by VDesai:

My mind's a jumble- but didn't something like this happen a while ago with an agent who forgot to opt out of a contract? And for some reason, I remember some funky stuff happening last time Lewis wanted a new contract...

anthony carter's agent didn't pick up his $4mil option. thus giving the heat a bunch of cap space to sign brand to an offer sheet. clippers matched, odom ended up in miami and the rest is history.

carter signed for the vet minimum with the spurs (i think) but the agent paid the difference out of his own pocket.

i still think there was some under the table sh t going on there...

but wait- does this say that the contract, to be opted out of, requires that the player notify the team either on the last day of the season, or between June 1 & 5, and at no other time between those times?

I don't know law, but that is a stupid sounding loop hole that wouldn't probably stand up in court- but who knows...

Who is rashard Lewis? Better yet, who is Anthony Carter?