Rashard Lewis Visiting Heat Saturday
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat's pursuit of Ray Allen is well-known, but he's not the only fish in the free agent sea the Heat are pursuing.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, 6'10" forward Rashard Lewis will visit with the Heat on Saturday and the team is one of his finalists. Lewis is looking to recapture his old form after a knee injury limited him to just 28 games last season.
Lewis was in the final year of a six-year, $118 million contract when he was dealt to the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets exercised a buyout provision of $13.7 million to be able to release Lewis as a free agent.
For his career, Lewis shoots 45 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the 3-point line. His career averages are 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The 14-year-veteran would come off the bench for the Heat, and if healthy, would create matchup problems for Heat opponents with his perimeter shooting.
If Ray Allen declines the mini mid-level exception contract of 3-years for $9.3 million; the Heat could turn around and offer the same amount to Lewis instead, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Given Lewis has made $138 million in his career; he could also opt to take a veteran minimum contract of $1.35 million if he and Allen both wanted to come to Miami.
The Heat has also been rumored to be interested in 16-year veteran center Marcus Camby, though Camby seems to be leaning towards returning to the Houston Rockets if possible.
