Sonics re-sign F Rashard Lewis

SEATTLE, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Forward Rashard Lewis Thursday re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The free agent, who led the club in rebounding last season and was second in scoring, got a seven-year contract.

Financial terms were not made public, but KRIV-TV in Houston, where Lewis played in high school, reported it deal is worth $60 million and could reach $75 million with incentives.

Lewis became a free agent on July 17 and spoke with the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, but those teams could not match the Sonics' offer because of salary cap restraints.

"Re-signing him represents another important piece in a successful summer of shaping our roster and ensuring that our talented core of players remains intact for the 2002-03 season," Seattle General Manager Rick Sund told the Seattle Times.

Although just 23, the 6-10 Lewis will be playing in his fifth NBA season in 2002, all with the Sonics. He averaged career highs of 16.8 points and seven rebounds per contest last season while recording 16 double-doubles.

"Seattle is where I started my NBA career and it is the city in which I wanted to continue it," Lewis told the paper. "Last year was very exciting and I have always felt that my future here is promising. I love playing for (coach) Nate (McMillan), the rest of the coaching staff, my teammates and the fans, which are among the best in the NBA."

Lewis was taken by the Sonics in the second round of the 1998 draft from Alief Elsik High School in Alief, Texas.

"I am extremely happy to have Rashard back as part of this team," said McMillan. "He is a very coachable player and an important key to the Sonics future, and we are all eager to start training camp in two weeks."