Report: Lewis on Spurs' radar
Up until this season, Rashard Lewis was the second highest paid player in the NBA. His contract was so high the Orlando Magic actually took on Gilbert Arenas' contract just to get rid of it. Well times have changed a bit for Lewis. He was recently traded to the New Orleans Hornets, who then waived him and his partially guaranteed contract. Now Lewis is looking to hook up with a new team and according to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the San Antonio Spurs are on that list.
"A source told The Post Tuesday the Knicks were on Lewis’ short list, along with Miami, the Lakers, San Antonio and Atlanta."
Lewis was dreadful for the Wizards last season. He averaged 7.8 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Even worse, he shot 24 percent from three. His numbers before last season aren't terrible, but still show a steady decline as he's gotten older. However, Lewis is a guy who was used to being on a winning team, so it could just be that he really didn't care last season since the Wizards were such a mess. This is similar to Boris Diaw's last season in Charlotte. It seemed like he just didn't care and numbers reflected that.
If he came cheap, would a change in scenery help Lewis? As ESPN's John Hollinger points out, Lewis can still shoot the corner three. During the 2010-2011 campaign, Lewis shot 43 percent from the corner. The other thing to consider is given how bad Washington was last season, Lewis probably wasn't open when he took some of these shots. Would the Spurs ask much more of him than to stand somewhere on the three point line and shoot wide open jumpers? Probably not. I'd say Lewis is worth the veteran minimum for a year, especially if Erazem Lorbek doesn't come over. However, the Post reports Lewis is hoping he'll be able to sign for around $3 million. I'd say that's too high, but the $1.4 million veteran's minimum? Sure, why not? Lewis could resurrect his career the way Diaw did.
ill like the Spurs to get lewis n get rid of blair n bonner even more Splitter for that matter n c if we cld get some upgraden pices for those three bu lewis is a upgrade over bonner n blair for sure
@TexasIcon Splitter is better than both Bonner and Blair. Splotter can defend the tall bigs better than Blair and Bonner, he can score more consistently at the rim than Bonner can with his 3's. I would get rid of Diaw before Splitter. When it comes to defending tall bigs he's no better than Splitter he gets shot over easily in the paint juat like Blair and he's another one who shy's away from shooting instead elects to passing off his opportunities acting like a pt guard. I'll pass on him go after another tall big like Splitter. So he missed some free throws who doesn't? At least he gets to the free throw line at a steady clip drawing fouls. That's disrupting the opponents rotation. They can foul him all night long somebody's going to sit if they keep doing that. If you see the games when he played big minutes against Houston, GState, and orhers he score consistently with 15-20 points or more. I'll keep Tiago and Timmy and replace the others with who ever they can get. Realistic options at this point - Lewis, Randolph, Milsap (short but way better than Bonner/Blair), Lorbek, or even one Denver's big guys. Dont like Camby he is plain too old and well just have to watch his minutes as well. They just need make Splitter the first big off the bench or give him more minutes and get the fillers I mentioned to round off the front court with Timmy and Splitter.
It is likely the FO has a deal in the works. I doubt they want DeColo in SA and if Bonner and Blair go, there are roster spots and likely the full and 1/2 MLE. I really believe they are trying to both cover potential losses of DG and Diaw, and also put trade chips together. We always devalue the guys who let us down more than other teams. Everybody has disappointing players like D Harris, but DHarris isn't bad, just not elite, same with Blair and Bonner. The Heat had 2 good players and few guys who stepped up when it counted, The same thing with the Mav's. Even Yawn Mah made key baskets and free throws.
@andres783 McDyess was way older and shorter than Lewis and he contributed and we don't know him playing on a good team would resurrect the Lewis of old. Really Bonner? Winter shoes? I don't want to see another season especially a playoff season of Bonner ever again. No more I'm done with him.
1.5 -2 Mil would be fine for me. I'd rather have him step on the court with Timmy any day instead of Bonner. The spacer that doesn't show up.
@andres783 In fact, he would be better than Bonner. Now the issue is that the FO hardly can find takers for Bonner and Blair..... Even a 2nd round pick I think it's helpful for the future and financial relief.
so where does he fit in the rotation? would he be happy playing behind leonard AND jackson? would he be a PF? he is 6'10" but i just dont see him as a PF on this team. he just seems small for some reason.
for a vet minimum i guess i would be ok with it but dude is making so much already via the hornets, why does he need 3 mil? greed? ehhhh that doesnt sound very "spurs"
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I'm not mad at it. He's versatile can play the sf and pf, he's able to spread the floor. For the right price why not. I'd look at Jordan Hill too but I really like the big man from the bucks. The main thing is to lock him in for a low contract value and short term. If it fails it fails but who knows.
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