Rashard Lewis is in Houston tonight as the Sonics face the Rockets. The Chronicle writes that Lewis is on the rise but as we've discussed before, he also can opt out of a deal to become a free agent this offseason. "I'll most definitely consider [the Rockets]," said Lewis. "What happened in the past is the past. I've put that behind me." Of course we all know what happened in the past, when the Rockets passed on Lewis three times to select Michael Dickerson, Bryce Drew and Mirsad Turkcan in the 1998 NBA Draft (see 1998 cc.net draft report). If the Rockets like Lewis, the best they can hope for is that Seattle decides he's not worth max money and the Rockets are in fact willing to give it to him... and only then that Lewis can force a sign-and-trade. The Rocks will have no cap room to land Lewis in an outright signing. You can bet also Rashard is banking on hometown interest to up the ante from Seattle. The Rockets will have two solid chips at the trading table this offseason -- Kenny Thomas, who is putting up outstanding play and has a dirt cheap contract for another year, and their own lottery pick (Rockets currently tied with Atlanta for 6th worst record in the league).
