Sonics Notebook | Lewis says he'll listen to a contract extension

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Rashard Lewis had a 90-minute meeting with his agent Saturday, in which they cleared up their differences and settled on a negotiating plan to deal with the Sonics.

Lewis said he was making his final public comments about his contract situation Sunday, before Seattle's 97-93 defeat against Detroit, because he doesn't want to give the perception he's focused on a possible two-year extension while the team is struggling.

He clarified his stance on a potential two-year, $25 million extension and said he would entertain an offer during the season if the Sonics wanted to talk.

"That would be disrespectful if I didn't," Lewis said. "I've been with the team for eight years so I have to listen."

Before the season, Lewis' agent, Kevin Poston, told The Times: "We're saying that right now, we don't want to do an extension and we want to focus on the season."

The Sonics have not made an offer. However, they might begin talking before the February trade deadline to ascertain if Lewis will exercise a clause in his contract to void the final two years of the deal and become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Because he has that option, Lewis said he believes he's susceptible to being traded.

"You can be here one day and gone the next," he said. "You just never know. That's the business side of it."

Maxiell who?

Around these parts, Jason Maxiell has developed a sizable fan base even though he averages just 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds. The Sonics didn't know much about him before Sunday, but they do now.

"That's the first time seeing him, knowing who he was or whatever," Lewis said. "I don't even know where he came from, but he made a name for himself tonight."

Maxiell, who played because Rasheed Wallace has a sore ankle and starter Antonio McDyess was ineffective, finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

"Max, Maxwell or whatever his name is, he literally outrebounded the whole team," Lewis said. "He was just more aggressive. He wanted it more than we did.

"Every time the shot went up, when I turned around to go to the glass he came flying out of nowhere. I don't think we put a body on him at all tonight."

Iverson alert

Coach Bob Hill isn't nervous that Northwest Division rivals Denver and Minnesota are reportedly pursuing Allen Iverson.

"He will most certainly draw some fans," he said. "I have enormous respect for him as a player. I don't know what it's like to coach him. I don't know what his attitude really is, but he's never not played hard against us. He always plays hard. Plays defense.

"Chemistry and harmony is always so important, wherever you go. ... Everyone knows he's a great scorer. The other guys are going to have to buy into it."

Notes

• Sunday, when asked if the team is pursuing another center, Hill said: "We just have to wait and see what we can do. Everybody is doing their due diligence. We just have to wait until somebody becomes available."

• Ray Allen, who suffered a bone bruise on his right ankle, will have the injury re-examined today. Hill hopes his All-Star guard can return Saturday against Toronto.