Rashard Lewis To Become a Free Agent Next Year

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Sonics' Lewis won't talk extension
By Percy Allen

Seattle Times staff reporter


Rashard Lewis and his agent don't want to talk contract during the season, which starts today for the Sonics.


Rashard Lewis has been in contract limbo for months, anticipating the day when principal owner Clay Bennett assumed control of the Sonics and the two sides could begin discussions on a two-year, $25 million extension.

However, a few hours after the $350 million sale between the Bennett-led Professional Basketball Club and the outgoing ownership group was finalized, Lewis withdrew his demand for an extension, according to his agent, Kevin Poston.

The 27-year-old forward has the option of voiding the final two years of his deal after the 2006-07 season and becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Poston, who is based in Detroit, declined to speculate what Lewis would do except to say, "we'll evaluate our options at that time."

"We're saying that right now, we don't want to do an extension and we want to focus on the season," Poston said. "There's so many rumors, and not just with the team and the Seattle and the Oklahoma City thing, but rumors about the NBA in general. We just want to concentrate on the season and see how everything unfolds.

"It's been my experience that it's not a good thing to do these things [negotiate contracts] once the season starts. So as I told Rashard, let's focus on the season. Period. And then, who knows?"

Poston visited Lewis in Seattle last week and confirmed their plans. He said he has had no significant contact with the Sonics and wouldn't want to start contract dialogue even if the team asked to begin negotiations.

"That time is over," he said.

At a news conference Tuesday, Bennett admitted the timing of the ownership change is awkward.

He has had little time to officially prepare for tonight's regular-season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, and general manager Rick Sund rushed to conclude a three-year, incentive-laden $24 million extension with point guard Luke Ridnour.

When asked if he planned to address Lewis' situation, Bennett said, "No. There's no plans that I'm aware of."

Lewis, who will earn $9.3 million this season, is the second-highest paid Sonic behind Ray Allen. Lewis, drafted in the second round of the 1998 draft and the longest-tenured Sonic, is scheduled to make $10.1 million in 2007-08 and $10.9 million in '08-09 if he doesn't opt out this summer.

Over the years, Lewis has hemmed and hawed about what he would do if he did not receive an extension.

Following his All-Star selection in 2005, he said he'd opt out of his contract and explore the free-agent market. At other times, he expressed strong desires to spend his entire career with the Sonics.

"That's something that is truly unique, and not too many people can say they did something like that," Lewis said after Tuesday's practice. "Then you can say that you truly left your mark on a franchise.

"But then, you don't know how the new ownership thinks about you or what they're going to do. One thing about the old owners, I knew where I stood with them. I was comfortable with them because they watched me grow. Now, everything has changed."

[alamobear]

i wouldnt mind him on spurs

[ducks]

not for the max though and he has a work ethic of 64%