Rashard Lewis doesn't want any sympathy in the wake of being traded from a playoff contender to a team well under .500.

"When I got traded, a lot of people were feeling sympathy for me, and I said I don't want it," Lewis said during his introductory press conference. "I'm a basketball player. The trade happened, and so be it. I'm just going to go out here and be professional."

Lewis was inactive for Washington's game against Charlotte on Monday night. Orlando had Gilbert Arenas in their loss to Atlanta.

He acknowledged he was "a little surprised" about the trade given the success the team had together.

"You most definitely use (the trade) as motivation," Lewis said. "It is definitely going to fuel me. I'm the type of guy that's been doubted growing up from high school to the NBA. I feel like there's always something in front of me that's challenging me, and I just look at this as another challenge."