Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not wait for even the second minute of free agency to be on Lewis' door Saturday night, and he followed that up at the airport Sunday morning. But by Sunday evening, Lewis was in Orlando, Fla., dining with Magic general manager Otis Smith as he began considering his options.

So far, the Rockets' efforts have been largely to let Lewis know he is wanted. Talks could get more serious when he returns and Morey likely gets his chance to make his pitch, Lewis' agent, Tony Dutt, said Sunday.

Until then, and maybe after, the Rockets' pursuit will remain a "long shot," as Dutt called it, particularly as long as Lewis is open to considering the Magic, a team that, with sufficient salary-cap room, would not have to work a sign-and-trade agreement with the SuperSonics like the Rockets would.

"It's so early in the process," Dutt said. "After we visit with Orlando, we'll come back and talk to about 15 teams. We'll just take our time and try to figure out what works and go from there. I will try to visit with the Rockets when I get back."

Dutt said talks were too preliminary to say if Lewis is considering the Rockets but that Morey's overtures at least have Lewis willing to consider them.

For now, though, Dutt said the SuperSonics have "sparked his interest."

"We're very interested," Dutt said. "We'll look at it. They're still trying to sign him and made a very thorough presentation."

Dutt said the Rockets do have a chance, if not necessarily a very good one.

"It's a long shot," he said. "A lot of times long shots work. It's too early to determine."

Morey spoke to about 15 other agents on Sunday, largely laying the groundwork for fallback positions. The Rockets are expected to look at the 76ers' Joe Smith and Nets' Mikki Moore. Former Nets, Bucks and Mavericks forward Keith Van Horn is contemplating returning after a year off and also could be a possibility if the Rockets cannot land their primary targets.