A little over a week ago on January 15, 2002, Rashard Lewis threw a curve ball to Sonics fans everywhere when he spoke out to the media announcing that he intended to opt out of his current 3 year, 13 million dollar contract to seek a maximum salary deal through free agency. This announcement shocked Sonics followers and quickly caused Rashard’s reputation to plummet with many of them, but was it really that much of a surprise?

Since his arrival in Seattle it has been the opinion of the front office that Rashard Lewis will be the future of the Seattle Supersonics. They believed so much in the fact that Rashard was to be the future of the franchise that two years ago they were able to re-sign him, to much less that the market would bear, with the promise that down the road his loyalty would be rewarded. And this summer is that “down the road” come at last, this summer was always supposed to be Rashard’s big pay day, this was supposed to be when we stop saying Rashard will be and can start saying he is the future. Now whether that is a bright future or not is still up for debate.

I personally see it as a bright future.

Probably what Sonics fans took exception to the most was this quote by Rashard, “My numbers compare to Kobe Bryant’s numbers when he was a rookie in the NBA and his next two years, and our numbers are pretty much around the same area”. This line, although not so far from the truth has painted for many a picture of Lewis as a self absorbed, ego driven type of player that the NBA has too many of. But this image goes against everything Lewis has ever shown of himself during his four and a half years in the league. I think the momentary hatred for Lewis is something that should pass, what Rashard comes off sounding like is truly far from what he is, the nice quiet guy that is probably too polite for his own good in the dog eat dog world of professional sports.

But aside from the image of Lewis this reference to Kobe does bring up a logical question: is he really worth the max? Will his potential continue to pan out like Kobe’s? A better comparison than Kobe, for how Rashard’s development will continue is probably found in Tracy McGrady. The situations of McGrady in his last year as a Raptor, and Rashard now are a great deal alike. Not only is McGrady another young, straight from high school project, but in Toronto McGrady was also the third option behind Vince Carter and Antonio Davis, much like Rashard now defers to Gary Payton and Vin Baker while on the court.

In 99-00 McGrady averaged; 15.4ppg, 1.91bpg, 1.14spg, 3.3apg, and 6.3rpg. Last year Rashard averaged; 14.8ppg, .58bpg, 1.17spg, 1.6apg, and 6.9rpg during similar minutes per game in which all of Rashard’s shooting percentages were well above Tracy’s. The very next year McGrady left the under card in Toronto to be the main event in Orlando and almost all his numbers did like wise. The point is that several have suggested Lewis has reached the limit of his potential but in reality his game just hasn’t been able to make the same leap forward that McGrady’s has, as Lewis is still on his back burner in Seattle. The system in which Rashard has played has not changed along with him, hopefully next year Baker’s role will be reduced and Rashard allowed to become more of a focal point for the team’s philosophy. If Seattle wants Lewis to put up franchise numbers he first must be the franchise.

None of this is to say that Rashard has grown as much as he can; Rashard himself is the first to recognize that he has to continue to work and improve on himself. In the same article that started all the commotion over salary Rashard states that he wants to be an all-star next year, and eventually wants to be a regular at the all-star festivities. Lewis understands that his 17 points and 7 rebounds is not going to cut it as incentive for the money he’s asking for.

Taking on a leadership role is not something that comes naturally to Rashard, coach McMillan has said that Rashard is too nice a guy, he’s at his best when he’s angry but it takes a lot to get him to that point. It is because of this natural good nature that Rashard has a hard time imposing his will and taking responsibilities away from the veterans of the team. But this fundamental change to the Sonics hierarchical structure is necessary for Seattle’s future superstar to reach his potential. This development of Rashard as a leader, something that requires more than just naming him co-captain, is something he is going to have to concentrate on to develop the killer instinct his game requires.

Not having that natural aggressive streak is another reason that this public demand for money reeks of Rashard’s agent rather than a move of his own accord. It seems too calculated to put Sonics management in a difficult position, too cold and ruthless to tie his demands to the future signing of Gary Payton to be of Rashard’s own design. Hopefully this ruthless edge Rashard is being taught by his agent will eventually find its way into his game mentality, something that would really benefit the Sonics.

His potential is hard to deny though, especially when players like Gary speak out saying Seattle should sign Rashard just days after his extravagant demands. Gary believes with time this team could become a major threat in the west, if Radmanovic and Watson continue the way they have it is an all-together believable outcome. Gary went so far as to hint at his own re-negotiations being less than market value, (the same sacrifice Rashard made two years ago), in order to make room for Rashard’s hefty contract.

In regards to that contract, some reporters, analyst, and posters here at SC.com believe Rashard should be happy in the eight million a year range, a range that Rashard rightfully should view as an insult. Regardless of the fact that his potential is the real thing and he will one day be a star of this league, but merely because two years ago this is the same deal Toronto offered Rashard. He showed loyalty to Seattle then and the Sonics offering the same thing to him now reflect their showing no loyalty back. If they do make a hard line offer of eight per year Rashard would have been better off leaving two years ago.

Perhaps Rashard won’t end up getting paid the max, taking less for the benefit of the team, after all stating that he wants the max is just a starting point for negotiation. But whatever does happen Rashard will make a large sum of money next year, if not here than somewhere else. If it is somewhere else it will be a mistake that Seattle won’t soon live down.

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