Three weeks ago, Rashard Lewis hinted that he might need season-ending surgery on his right knee to fix nagging tendonitis. He put it off then, but now, after playing a combined 14 minutes in total in the team's last two games, Lewis said surgery is very much an option.
After practice Thursday, Lewis told reporters that he can't give the Wizards what they need and is discussing with his agent about whether he will end up having the surgery. Via Craig Stouffer of the Washington Examiner:
"I can't give them what I want," said Lewis. "I can't defend on the court. My reaction is a step slow. My first step, my explosiveness, everything. Even with my jump shot, when I go to squat in my jump shot, I just have no lift in my legs. It's not only hurting me running up and down the court but my jump shot as well."
A decision is expected later Thursday, Lewis said. He has averaged 11.4 points and just under six rebounds a game since being acquired from the Orlando Magic on December 18 in exchange for Gilbert Arenas. He started off as a stabilizing veteran presence in a mostly young locker room, but his play has suffered as his knees have worsened.
Lewis is the team's highest-paid player, with two years left on a six-year, $113 million contract initially signed with the Magic in the summer of 2007. The final year is only guaranteed for $10 million.