Rashard Lewis not a FA?

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

interesting note (via Hoopshype) in Vescey's column this morning, that R.
Lewis' agent might not have filed the paperwork for him to become a FA on
time.

I figured it of some interest given the Lewis to Boston rumors.

(the other) mark

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 If my information is accurate, Rashard Lewis may not have met the
requirement to become one of the NBA's most desirable free agents.

If accurate, the Sonics' 28-year-old (on Aug. 8) All-Star (2005) has two
guaranteed years ($10,129,870 and $10,909,091) remaining on an agreement
signed five years ago when he was represented by Kevin Poston.

If accurate, new agent Tony Dutt mishandled critical paperwork regarding
his client's escape option.

According to a lawyer privy to the language in Lewis' contract, in order
to void his obligation to the Sonics in 2007-08 and 2008-09, he had to do
it in writing and deliver it personally or by registered mail either on
the date of his team's last game (regular season or playoffs) or on June
1, 2007 . . . whichever was later. Fastened to that stipulation is a
five-day grace period; hence, June 5 was the cut-off date.

Late May reports (AP/ESPN) out of Houston, where Lewis lives in the
offseason, quoted Dutt saying he'd officially alerted the Sonics in
writing on Friday, May 25 (or maybe Saturday, May 26) his client had opted
out.

Both days, bordering Memorial Day weekend, were cited by Dutt. He was
unsure. But it sure wasn't April 18, when the Sonics' season ended in a
rout by Dallas. And it sure wasn't within the predetermined June 1 to June
5 time limit.

If this argument is accurate, Lewis has forfeited colossal leverage.