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The Wizards have the largest expiring contract out there in Lewis’s deal, and it’s impossible to ignore the difference that came when Dallas used Erick Dampier’s expiring deal with Charlotte for Tyson Chandler the summer before the lockout. That kind of organization-altering deal probably isn’t out there, but the Wizards will likely exhaust every means before settling on a buyout agreement. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis didn’t sound overly concerned about what the Wizards intend to do this offseason. “I think that’s pretty much out of my hands,” Lewis said. “My agent will talk to them and see what direction they want to take and what direction they are going to go in. ”I’ve got faith in this organization, that they are going to do the right thing and bring the right people to build around John,” Wall, Lewis said. “ If they do decide to bring me back, my main focus is to get healthy and get myself in shape to get ready to play for the Washington Wizards and get back to the playoffs. If not, then I still got healthy. I think I owe to myself and also the fans that like Rashard Lewis, to go out there and perform.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

From the time Lewis was acquired from Orlando in exchange for Gilbert Arenas in December 2010, the primary selling point was that his exorbitant contract included a buyout that could remove him from the books in 2012. Lewis earned enough incentives from his time with the Magic that he can be bought out for $13.7 million of his $22 million salary before next season, which would provide considerable savings for the Wizards to sign potential free agents or acquire talent in trades. If the Wizards bought out Lewis, they would still have the amnesty clause available to possibly part ways with Andray Blatche. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Though his numbers have declined dramatically since he made his last all-star appearance in 2009, the 32-year-old Lewis believes he still can be a contributor for many years to come — once he gets healthy. “I still feel like I got a lot of basketball in me. I know I can still play at a high level. I know I can still run and jump. It’s just getting healthy,” Lewis said. “I know I’m not nowhere near the end of my career. I feel like I’m most definitely in my prime. You’re going to look up one day and say, ‘Sweet Lew’ is back.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Sources said that the Hornets did engage in discussions last week with Washington on a deal that would have featured Kaman, Landry and Trevor Ariza going to the Wizards for center JaVale McGee, veteran forward Rashard Lewis and a future second-round pick. But Washington opted to deal with Denver instead, sending McGee to the Nuggets as part of a three-team swap with the Los Angeles Clippers that routed Nene to the Wizards. ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Trade, Javale McGee, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, Chris Kaman 

Lewis is the second-highest-paid player in the NBA behind Kobe Bryant and is slated to earn $22 million next season. But the Wizards can buy out him out after this season for $13.7 million, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Rashard Lewis has not played since the all-star break and Wizards Coach Randy Wittman wasn’t sure when he would be able to return after Lewis experienced complications in his left knee while working out with the team in Memphis. Lewis suffered a bone bruise in his left kneecap on Feb. 22 after grabbing a rebound in a loss against Sacramento. He had a second pain- relief shot on Friday and Atlanta in was hoping that it would help him get back on the court, but now he will have to wait as the Wizards try to move on with new acquisitions Nene and Brian Cook. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Injuries 

Michael Lee: A buyout for Rashard Lewis next season is now worth $13.7 mil, not $10 mil, because RL reached necessary contract incentives in ORL #wizards Twitter

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis said he went up for a rebound in the Wizards’ last game before the all-star break and feeling pain in his knee for the rest of the game. He thought the six days away from basketball would’ve been enough for him to recover, and even got dressed in anticipation of playing against Milwaukee. “The pain just wouldn’t go away,” Lewis said, adding that his “right knee feels fine. . . . This is different this time. It’s not the tendon, it’s not what was bothering me last season.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Injuries 

An MRI taken last week revealed a bone bruise underneath the kneecap, which Lewis blamed for his discomfort. Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday. Synvisc injections are usually doled out in doses of three, but Lewis wasn’t certain that he would need all of them before returning to the court. “Doctor says we’ll see how it feels again next week, but, hopefully, I’ll be playing before next week,” Lewis said. “It’s nothing damaging that I have to have surgery, just something I guess will just have to get better with rest.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Injuries 

Rashard Lewis didn’t play in the first half of the Wizards’ 98-77 win over the Detroit Pistons and was heckled for a large portion of a game by a fan seated near the visiting team bench. During a timeout, Lewis stood up and the fan shouted, “Hey, Rashard. I came to see you! Who do I need to talk to?” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

During another timeout, the fan had just arrived with two beers from the concession stand and before sitting down shouted, “Rashard! Rashard! What’s up?” Lewis, who had missed the previous three games nursing a sore right knee, responded to the heckler, “I got a flat tire.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis didn’t know at the time if he was going to play, or if Coach Randy Wittman would need him. He only dressed in case of an emergency and was hoping to get in at least one more practice before returning to the floor. But not only did Wittman need Lewis, but Lewis found the night to be especially rewarding, as he helped the Wizards (6-22) get their second road win of the season and joined Jason Kidd and Paul Pierce as the only players in NBA history with at least 15,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 1,500 three-pointers made. “It feel good. I’m most definitely happy and excited about it,” Lewis said. “I’ve been playing in the NBA for a long time. This just tells me I’ve had a pretty successful career. Not a lot of people can be on that list.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

When Lewis entered the game late in the third period, the Wizards led 66-63, but the team scored 15 unanswered points over the next four minutes. Shortly after the Lewis entered the game, Wittman called Lewis over to him, and the heckler shouted, “Hey, Coach! Leave Rashard alone! He knows what he’s doing. He got it.” Lewis really did have it. And he now has 15,006 career points, 5,183 rebounds and 1,690 three-pointers. “Sam Cassell just told me I passed him up,” Lewis, 32, said with a laugh, though Cassell actually scored 15,635 points over his career. “I never took anything for granted, and getting drafted in the second round, being able to play for 13, this my 14th year. It’s just definitely an honor and a blessing to still be in the NBA.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Shelvin Mack: Congrats to my teammate Rashard Lewis on his accomplishment today scoring over 15,000 in his career...... #respect Twitter

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis 

Michael Lee: Rashard Lewis has started to call Jan Vesely a "kangaroo" because he bounces around all the time. Jan: "I don't know what's that" #wizards Twitter

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Jan Vesely 

Jeff Zillgitt: Wizards F Rashard Lewis denies argument between him and assistant coach Sam Cassell led to him not playing SUN vs. T'wolves. Twitter

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell 

Chris Miller: Spoke to Rashard Lewis claims he and Sam Cassell were having a friendly disagreement. Didn't sit on bench due to no sports coat. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell 

“The only reason I didn’t play was because my knee was sore,” Lewis said. “No argument. No argument at all. I don’t know what’s going on. Maybe we because we haven’t won a game yet somebody is trying to make up stories. I guess point the finger at somebody I don’t know.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell 

“Everybody knows Sam. Sam’s a loud talker, regardless of what he’s talking about. If he’s talking to you in a friendly manner, he’s just a loud talker. I don’t know. Somebody must have took it and thought that me and Sam were arguing,” Lewis said. “Maybe we was just talking. I know at one point, he was talking about how he was playing with the Clippers and I played in Seattle and he busted up [Minnesota Timberwolves point guard] Luke Ridnour and was bragging and talking noise. Maybe somebody took it out of [context, that] we was arguing, when he was talking about how he killed us when he was playing for the Clippers and I played for the Sonics. I have no idea what’s going on.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell