The Rashard Lewis situation continues to ... continue.
Seattle has called Rashard's bluff that he will sign for the middle class exception, while Lewis and his agent refuse to sign the current offer with the Sonics.
Now the 6-foot-10 small forward and his agent are holding out for a sign-and-trade, and, according to Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News, Seattle has started to shop Rashard around the league.
The price is steep.
Hughes cites "three league sources" that say the Sonics have talked with the Rockets, and are requesting second-year forward Eddie Griffin and another player in exchange for Lewis. It is believed the "other player" would be Walt Williams, who would have to be signed-and-dealt in the deal as well.
However, that's moot as the sources said the Rockets rejected that offer because of Griffin, and rightfully so. Griffin showed a lot of improvement at the Summer Pro League in July.
The Sonics have talked to several teams, including Dallas, reports the Tacoma News, but "nothing has come close to being worked out". The main sticking point is teams are not wanting to take on big, long-term contracts due to the financial uncertainty around the league at the moment.
It's looking more and more likely that Rashard will have to take Seattle's standing offer, or sign for the MCE elsewhere.
