Dallas Mavericks: Rashard Lewis Contract Voided
By Phil Watson
Veteran forward Rashard Lewis’ one-year, veteran’s minimum contract with the Dallas Mavericks has been voided because of problems that came up on Lewis’ physical.
ESPNDallas.com reported that the Mavericks voided the contract after learning Lewis needs surgery on his right knee.
He had signed last week.
"“It came to our attention during Rashard Lewis’ physical that he is in need of a medical procedure on his right knee,” Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations said in a statement. “We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and continued success in his remarkable career.”"
Lewis is a two-time All-Star, but is merely a depth addition at this point in his career.
The 34-year-old spent the last two seasons in Miami, where he played 60 games—starting six—last season. He averaged 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and one assist in 16.2 minutes per game and shot .415/.343/.788.
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Lewis was an All-Star in 2005 with the Seattle SuperSonics and again in 2009 as a member of the Orlando Magic.
He was drafted in the second round by Seattle out of Elsik High School in Alief, Texas, in 1998.
By his third season, he was a starter and three times in his career averaged more than 20 points per game.
But he’s been limited by injuries and the dreaded DNP-Coach’s Decision the last four seasons, playing in only 200 of 312 possible regular season games with the Magic, Washington Wizards and the Heat.
One of the pioneers at the so-called stretch 4 position, Lewis is eighth all-time in NBA history with 1,787 made 3-pointers and led the NBA in makes (220) and attempts (554) in 2008-09.
In Miami, he evolved into almost exclusively a 3-point specialist, with 265 of his 485 shot attempts (55 percent) coming from behind the arc.
Dallas still has Dirk Nowitzki to anchor one forward spot, but veteran Shawn Marion, who started 76 games, is still unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
The Mavericks have added small forward Richard Jefferson as a free agent this summer and acquired power forward Greg Smith in a trade from the Chicago Bulls.