ORLANDO, Fla. -- While Lenny Wilkens was speaking with reporters outside of the Milk House Gym at Walt Disney World, New York Knicks president and head coach Isiah Thomas, the man who fired Wilkens two years ago, hugged the Hall of Fame coach and before a short conversation.
Perhaps Thomas was sharing with Wilkens the Knicks' interest in acquiring Rashard Lewis. According to NBA insiders, the Knicks could make the Sonics a sign-and-trade offer for Lewis that could include Seattle natives Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford.
The Sonics have the advantage in re-signing Lewis because they can offer him a six-year deal, compared with five for other clubs, and give Lewis 10.5 percent increases per season, compared with 8 percent for other clubs.
" He is a young player who was having a great year, and he wants to explore the market," Wilkens said. "Yes (there are plans to re-sign him). He is an asset for us. We still want him, and we're going to try everything we can get him signed."
The Knicks, however, have made Lewis a major priority. They sorely lack a scoring small forward but would have to unload one of their unwanted contracts -- Crawford, Jerome James, Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose -- to acquire a quality player.
It's uncertain whether the Sonics would be interested in Crawford because of his contract and history of erratic shooting. He averaged 17.6 points per game this season but shot just 40 percent.
WILLIAMS ABSENT: Former Roosevelt High standout Marcus Williams will not participate in the pre-draft camp and is not on the list of players set to take physicals. Williams, who has hired agent Rob Pelinka after two years at Arizona, is projected as the 23rd pick by Draftexpress. com and is not included in ESPN. com's first-round mock draft.
Williams' absence is curious considering he is trying to rebuild his image after an unceremonious exit from Arizona. Williams has been partially blamed for the Wildcats' chemistry issues last season, which resulted in a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. Washington's Spencer Hawes and Eastern Washington's Rodney Stuckey are on the list of "physicals only" players.
WORDS OF AIR: Dressed in baggy jeans, sporting headphones around his neck and a tan shirt, Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats president and resident greatest player on Earth, left the Milk House Gym, walked past Wilkens and said, "Good luck, kiddo," before walking off. ... Draft prospects, who went through drills Tuesday evening, will start playing games Wednesday. Among those assigned to rosters are former Franklin High and Oregon point guard Aaron Brooks and former Garfield and Nevada guard Marcelus Kemp.