Percy Allen of the Seattle Times reports that this is an important summer for the Supersonics. They want to build their future around Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason. But the future may not look very bright if they can?t reach an agreement with Lewis.

"Rashard Lewis is definitely important, just as Gary Payton was a few years ago when we re-signed him," Nate McMillan said. "This is one of our guys that we feel that in the next few years will be a very good player for the team. So, that being said, it's very important to get Rashard signed."

Even though team officials traveled to Lewis? Houston home for face-to-face meetings last month, there doesn?t appear to be any progress being made in the negotiations. The major sticking point is money. Lewis wants lots of it, the Sonics wonder if he?s worth it. Both sides appear to be in agreement on a seven-year deal for the 22-year-old small forward, but settling on a dollar amount won't be as easy.

Lewis is arguably the best player in this year?s free agent class, but with career averages of 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds are not the numbers of a maximum contract player. "When you talk about worth, that's tricky," McMillan said. "I can only talk about potential and what I think Rashard will bring to the team. Worth is something Rick and Wally have to make a decision on. But a lot of things come into play."

Currently, the Sonics are poised to have a lot of cap room next summer. Resigning Lewis to a $7 or $8 million salary will take a sizeable chunk out of that potential cap room. But the Sonics still want Lewis to stay.

"But what we're focusing on is Rashard and Jerome (James) and the other guys. You build with your young guys and our focus is just trying to keep what we've got. It's hard to recruit somebody who has already been with you," McMillan said. "He knows what the organization is about, the city and the coaching staff. So it's about him wanting to be in Seattle."