He apparently has an inside scoop on the Lewis situation, having talked to several unnamed sources inside GM offices around the NBA. He reports the general consensus is and I quote: "if you give Lewis the maximum you're an idiot." This could have significant ramifications should Lewis decide to opt out and hold to his contract demands.
Interviewing David Locke, who hosts his own radio segment on KJR on weeknights, is always good for colorful comments like these. This interview, along with others including Kevin Calabro and Nunyo Demasio can be found at SoftyCentral.
You will need some form of media player to listen to the comments.
Locke, of course, was also asked if he heard anything from Howard Schultz. Locke confirms conversing with Schultz over the Lewis comments, and Schultz only tacitly replied, "He'd try and do the right thing".
What makes things more interesting now is; Baker and Lewis are suddenly reported to be on the trading block? Could be a worthless rumor with great timing or perhaps something could REALLY be cooking.
It isn't likely, but talk is talk and GM's talk.
Trade Rumors
The reported ESPN Insider trade rumor of Vin Baker and Rashard Lewis to Golden State for Larry Hughes
makes no sense. I did not have the good fortune to view this articled rumor myself but chances are there is
an error in interpretation somewhere. One interpretation that makes sense (coming from the Sonics board)
was that the rumor said to watch out for these players (as in they may be dealt, not necessarily for each
other).
What's interesting to me is that Vin Baker and Rashard Lewis have suddenly been mentioned in a trade together.
That's a blockbuster.
If this NBA Insider site has any validity resembling the former NBAtalk.com site regarding which teams are talking with whom, these rumors are not without merit. As for which team the Sonics may have entered into preliminary talks with; we can eliminate the top teams out West, as none would engage in such a blockbuster mid-season by parting with players that are helping them sit atop the West.
Shifting gears out East, there are no real forwards available in the Eastern Conference that would both (1) reside on the trade block; and (2) be someone significant enough (salary and otherwise) that the Sonics would suddenly part with Baker and Lewis. The only exception could possibly be Alonzo Mourning and, to a much lesser extent, Brian Grant.
If I were Seattle, I'm passing on both players. The future of Alonzo Mourning is much too uncertain to risk giving up Baker and a 22 year-old Lewis for. Brian Grant has been ineffective of late and, although a solid piece, isn't nearly the all-star caliber forward the Sonics would covet.
If Miami is not involved, that leaves only the bottom dwellers of the Western Conference as likely bedfellows, and that could give way to possible Antonio McDyess talks with the Nuggets.
This is the one deal that seems to be most alluring and just makes too much sense to ignore. Salaries aren't likely to match up to pull the trigger on such a deal, but the teams need only to agree in principle for something to transpire.
The Nuggets are going through some serious turmoil this season, which now includes their star point guard, Nick Van Exel demanding a trade elsewhere. The struggling Nuggets have also seen their Head Coach forced out due to outside pressure surrounding a racial slur he directed toward a Mexican fan.
McDyess is good friends with Van Exel, and if Van Exel were dealt (which appears imminent), it is believed McDyess certainly wouldn't be closed to joining a playoff contender like Seattle. Further, Jason Kidd upon arriving in New Jersey hinted at McDyess's unhappiness in Denver, publicly stating he could deliver McDyess to the then-lowly New Jersey Nets when he became a free agent.
The Nets aren't likely to swing a trade for the Denver Power Forward, having a younger and near equally talented Kenyon Martin playing PF, and arguably still another power forward they are playing at the small forward position, Keith Van Horn.
It also isn't likely the Nets would be willing to part with a package that would equal or surpass a Rashard Lewis, Vin Baker combination.
I'll be the first to admit there is a certain amount of "wishful thinking" involved in such logic. Officially, there is little proof of Baker or Lewis being on the trading block.
If the Sonics were to pull such a deal, the move would push either Desmond Mason or Vladimir Radmanovic into the starting lineup alongside McDyess. The short-term solution may be Desmond, but the long-term solution is almost certainly Radmanovic.
It is unclear how such a move would shake up the Sonics chemistry.
Particularly, if any impending deal keeps the Sonics competitive, improves the Sonics financial flexibility
while also improving the Sonics rebounding situation. The implications for the future is just as bright,
Radmanovic is a year younger then Rashard Lewis and McDyess three years younger then Baker.
This would also allow Radmanovic to focus on his more natural position, small forward. Under current
conditions, the Sonics are hoping to convert him to power forward in order to fit both he and Lewis in the
starting lineup alongside each other.
Talent wise, the reasons are all there. Very rarely do deals come along that can improve a team in just about
all aspects one seeks to improve. We already know Schultz has studied the Sacramento Kings success
(brought Peja Drobnjak to Seattle to help the transition of Vladimir Radmanovic much in the same way Vlade
Divac helped Peja Stojakovic in Sacramento). I wonder if he would liken a future McDyess-Radmanovic
combination to the Sacramento Kings' Webber-Stojakovic frontcourt?
Financially? Interestingly enough, the more expensive option would be to sign Lewis for the maximum. Let's
see, $102M to Lewis versus all of the above? I don't think it takes an NBA Insider to tell us if the right deal
comes along and the Lewis threat is perceived to be real, Schultz will undoubtedly do the "right" thing by
pulling the trigger.
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By the way, if you haven't already done so, check out the KJR sound bites at the website listed above and here again. If you have no idea who David Locke is (or simply haven't listened to KJR yet) I strongly recommend going right now.
Go to the linked site, click on the David Locke interviews and the site should automatically launch your media player. After the media player is launched, you should be able to listen to the interviews while going back to SonicsCentral.com and goofing off.
All opinions expressed in this column are solely the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of other columnists or staff of Sonicscentral.com