Rashard Lewis Signs With Miami Heat, Joins Ex-Teammate Ray Allen

The NBA Champion Miami Heat have reportedly just acquired another all-star (at one time, at least) caliber player at a bargain-bin price.

According to ESPN’s Jared Zwerling, forward Rashard Lewis has agreed to a two-year, $2.8 million deal. Lewis will make the veteran minimum from Miami for this coming season, worth about $1.3 million, his agent Tony Dutt confirmed.

ESPN points out that while the two-time NBA All-Star and 14-year veteran may have been able to make more money elsewhere, he was sold on a role with the defending champions after meeting with team president Pat Riley on Sunday in Miami.

In addition, Lewis recently agreed to a $13.7 million buyout with the Hornets after he was traded to New Orleans, circumstances that likely aided in him taking a paycut to sign for the discounted rate with the Heat.

Lewis, 32, spent last season with the Wizards enduring one of his worst seasons as a professional after being bother by a right knee injury.

In 28 appearances with Washington, the 6-foot-10 wing averaged only 7.8 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting only 23.9 percent from behind the arc.

Over the course of his career, Lewis has averaged 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while making 38.8 percent of his 3-point shots.

Ray Allen, who reached an agreement on July 6 to play for the Heat next season, was teammates with Rashard Lewis from their days on the Seattle Supersonics.

The Boston Globe reports that Allen and Lewis are both likely to be introduced by the Heat on Wednesday, once procedural matters like physicals and paperwork are completed.

Teams may start signing their free agents when the league’s moratorium officially ends at 12:01 am Wednesday.

Sports fans chime in: Does the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis almost guarantee the Miami Heat a repeat championship in 2013? Sound off below.