HoopsHype.com Rumors

Allen has been largely mum on the issue of his $3.2 million 2013-14 option, at a stage where a second NBA title could either sate or rejuvenate. As for Lewis, there have been reports that he already has committed to his $1.4 million 2013-14 option. He said, however, that is not the case. "I haven't agreed to anything," he said. "I have no idea. The focus is on this year. I haven't even talked to my agent." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

While there was excitement when he signed with the Miami Heat last July, Lewis wouldn’t necessarily say that he was relieved when he got dumped by two franchises – the Wizards and then New Orleans – in less two weeks last June. “I don’t think it’s ever a relief to be traded, or bought out,” Lewis said with a booming laugh. “But the relief was when Pat Riley called to recruit me to come down and play for them. I think more than anything my goal was to be on a team that was trying to compete for a championship. Obviously, Miami had just won it.” Washington Post

Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Pat Riley, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis has an option worth $1.4 million but plans on returning next season to Miami, where a first championship is within his grasp. “You get that window of opportunity, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” Lewis said. “I chose to play for the Miami Heat and you know, we here. We in the Finals, but the job is not done yet.” Washington Post

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

Evans will be joined by teammates Andray Blatche and Marshon Brooks, as well as Marquis Daniels (Bucks), Rashard Lewis (Heat), Marreese Speights (Cavaliers), Trent Richardson (Cleveland Browns), Derrick Brooks (former Tampa Bay Buccaneer), Justin Gatlin (track star), Michelle Snow (WNBA player) and Johanna Long (NASCAR driver). ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Andray Blatche, Rashard Lewis, Reggie Evans, Marquis Daniels, Marreese Speights, Marshon Brooks 

“I don’t plan on opting out,’’ said Rashard Lewis, who has player option next season worth $1.4 million. “I plan on staying for another year (with the Heat), trying to make another run at it.’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Rashard Lewis 

Bill Ingram: Rashard Lewis: "I'm with the Miami HEAT. I don't plan on opting out at all." Twitter @TheRocketGuy

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

Bill Ingram: Rashard Lewis: "I'm with the Miami HEAT. I don't plan on opting out at all." Twitter @TheRocketGuy

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

Now, eight months later, winning has come easily for the HEAT and it certainly seems like the 33-year-old made the right choice in free agency. Miami has strung together the second-longest winning streak in NBA history with 27 consecutive victories and Lewis couldn’t be happier in South Beach. “It’s been great,” Lewis told HOOPSWORLD. “It’s been a fun season. We have a lot of veterans on this team and we have one goal in mind, and that’s to win the NBA championship. I have great teammates in LeBron, D-Wade, Chris Bosh. They’re by far some of the best teammates I’ve ever had and it’s a great, first class organization. It’s been a lot of fun.” HoopsWorld

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

With his former team in town on Friday for the rematch at Verizon Center, Ariza is healthier – though he is dealing with a sore left knee – and has finally found a comfortable role on the Wizards. But he isn’t trying to place any special meaning in facing the team that traded him, along with Emeka Okafor, last June in a deal for Rashard Lewis’s expiring contract. “I’ve been on a number of teams,” Ariza said with a grin. “Treat it like it’s a regular game. Not really worry about me, or individual things, but this is not an individual sport. It’s a team sport. Just stick to our game plan and do what I need to do.” Washington Post

New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Trade, Rashard Lewis 

When asked about the situation last June, Ariza said: “It is what it is. I loved my teammates there. They are all great players. I did everything I can to help them. Even when I wasn’t playing, I still encouraged all the players to be all they can be, to continue to work hard. I still did what I needed to do, to stay in shape, to keep my game going to try to get better. When they realized they wanted to bring Farouq along, I was all for it. It’s not my team. It’s their decisions to make and I’m just a player in this league.” Washington Post

New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Trade, Rashard Lewis 

Brian Schmitz: Former Magic F Rashard Lewis called DHoward's comments "disrespectful," especially considering "Dwight and Jameer are friends." "It's just strange. If anything he should be focused on playing for the Lakers and making the playoffs. It's disrespectful more than anything. We helped Dwight become the player he was. They built that team to make him the player he was. Not trying to be rude or disrespectful to Dwight but... I think sometimes you have to focus on what's going on now, not what happen in the past. Very disappointing. Twitter @MagicInsider

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis 

Lewis on Howard, defending Nelson: "Everybody on that team was very close friends. Not only that, but Jameer Nelson, out of all people. We made a good run. Hell, look at those banners hanging in the stands. They don’t say Dwight Howard on them. " Twitter @MagicInsider

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis 

Rashard Lewis, who made All-Star debut in 2005, was funny on Chris Andersen's disastrous dunk contest that year: The "Birdman,'' then with New Orleans, missed nine dunks on his first attempt at the dunk contest in 2005 in Denver and took about three minutes before he finally made a dunk. Andersen had been trying to throw the ball from halfcourt and catch it after a bounce for a dunk. “I remember like it was yesterday,’’ said Lewis, then with Seattle and now Andersen's teammate in Houston. “He missed like 30 dunks and kept going over and over,’’ Lewis said. “That’s why they put the time limit on it. It was the Birdman Rule… you knew he was going to try to do something spectacular but after a while it was like, ‘Man, just make a dunk already. We’re getting tired. Let’s move on.’’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis, Chris Andersen, All-Star 

Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard Orlando teammate, believes Howard will re-sign with Lakers this summer as free agent. “My gut feeling is I think he will,’’ Lewis who is now with the Heat and will face Howard on Sunday, told FOX Sports Florida. “I think he will be in L.A. … He most definitely likes the city, likes the organization. It’s one of the first-class organizations. The Lakers have a history of winning championships, and that’s what he wants to do is win championships. So we’ll see what happens at the end of the season, but my gut feeling is I think he’ll stay there.’’ Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Rashard Lewis on basketball back in Seattle: "I can't wait." Thinks all the Sonics records need to come back to Seattle. Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Seattle SuperSonics, Rashard Lewis 

Yet even as spectator, Miami Heat forward Rashard Lewis says he has no issue playing the good soldier in a winning situation, after coming from something far less with the Washington Wizards. "It's something I signed up for," the 3-point specialist said. "I know there's a lot of talent on this team. They pretty much have the same team they won a championship with. "Here, you've just got to basically wait your turn. I played earlier in the year, but I'm sure my name will be called again. I just got to be ready to go." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Rashard Lewis 

Now, Miami is trying to carry it out for a full season. And the Heat's major offseason acquisitions, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, aren't going to be much help defending the paint; they're having enough trouble getting out to open 3-point shooters. Which leaves Battier swapping paint with bigger, younger power forwards. Will he be a skid mark by next spring?"We'll see. We'll see," Battier said with a laugh. "The thing about it is, it's taxing physically. But I just have to be smart about it. I'm not asked to grab 10 rebounds. I just block out. Blocking out's tough when you have to block out a guy like Faried. But I look at it as an unbelievable challenge for me. I've been counted out a lot in my life, and in my career. And I've always met the challenge. I just look at it as a new challenge, a new chapter for my book. I look forward to overcoming it." NBA.com

Miami Heat, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis 

Rashard Lewis has met his quota for the month. With three weeks left in November, he is done playing above the rim. The two dunks he had Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets were enough. He will go back to being what the Miami Heat coveted when they signed him in the offseason — another perimeter scoring threat. "I told them [teammates] that's it for the month," Lewis said, laughing. "They can catch me trying to get another one next month." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis 

Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are different. They’ve built a friendship that is stronger than the obstacles they’ve experienced dealing with the business of basketball. They’re like brothers who respect each other on the court and appreciate each other when the game ends. They’ve relied on their bond to help with the transition to Miami, while enjoying another chance to play together in the twilight of their careers. “I was sitting at my home in Connecticut when I found out; I was excited,” Allen said. “I randomly called him and he told me he was coming down and looking forward to being able to join. “I was very excited. He’s a guy that’s made a great career for himself. The teams we played for in Seattle, we had some great times. Over four years, we only made it to the playoffs one time, but he had some great teams. We had fun together and respected each other and that’s something I’ve always appreciated and cherished.” RealGM

Miami Heat, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis 

“Ray helped me make my first All-star team,” Lewis said. “He taught me the importance of taking care of my body and important off-the-court things. I listened to him a lot and it’s helped my career. I still use all of his tips today.” RealGM

Miami Heat, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis