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bigbeast
Posts: 22333
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 12/21/2005
Member: #1060
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By MARC BERMAN
July 2, 2007 -- Despite his slim chances, Isiah Thomas had a 25-minute conversation with the agent of Rashard Lewis yesterday, explaining his vision of the Seattle 6-foot-9 slashing forward as a Knick.
The free-agency courting period began yesterday, but the Knicks’ acquisition of Zach Randolph lessens their chances - and their urgency - of landing Lewis, who averaged 22.4 points and 6.6 rebounds last season.
Still Thomas is looking to be greedy and represented one of 20 teams which spoke to agent Tony Dutt, explaining how Lewis, 27, would fit in as their starting small forward. Their only hope in enticing Seattle into a sign-and-trade is if Lewis threatens to sign with under-the-cap Orlando and the Sonics would wind up losing him for nothing. Reports out of Seattle had Lewis talking to the Sonics yesterday morning.
The Knicks have a lot of trade pawns even without new Blazer Channing Frye to dangle. But they aren’t willing to give up David Lee - which could be the deal killer.
Thomas now has two expiring contracts in Fred Jones and Dan Dickau (totaling $6 million), promising prospects in Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins and Randolph Morris and Seattle natives Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson, the latter being wildly popular in the Pacific Northwest.
The Knicks are realistic and will be very content with their offseason if Randolph remains their biggest catch.
"Man, who knows with this team." Aguirre.
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7/2/2007 1:13 PM