Lewis Makes Magic

Free agent forward, Rashard Lewis, has departed the new look Sonics in hopes of playing for a contender. His choice, the Orlando Magic.

According to ESPN.com:

"After being treated to an aggressive 24-hour courtship, Rashard Lewis told the Orlando Magic on Monday that he plans to leave the Seattle SuperSonics to sign a max contract with Orlando on July 11.

That's the first day free agents are allowed to officially sign new contracts. Free Agency Season in the NBA began Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and Lewis was in Central Florida by that afternoon to take in Orlando's persuasive recruiting pitch, including lobbying from franchise big man Dwight Howard.

"Orlando was my main focus and No. 1 on my list from day one," Lewis told Florida Today. "Me and my agent sat down and talked about it after the season and we determined that Orlando would be No. 1, and when they gave me that call on the first [of July] I was just so excited."

The exact value of a max contract won't be known until the league announces the salary-cap figure in effect next season on July 11, but it's believed to be between $75 million and $85 million over five seasons."

This is a great move for the Magic. To add a great outside shooter like Lewis to the inside ability of Dwight Howard definitely puts the Magic among the top teams in the East next season. It's going to get much more interesting now, and I'd even go as far as to put this young talented team up there with Miami and Chicago, if they can gel quickly.

Another team I still think holds a ton of talent and is probably being underrated right now; the Charlotte Bobcats. Look at the pieces they have in place and you'd have to think they are closing in on making a solid contending team. Mr. Jordan just might be making the right moves in Charlotte.