One year ago next week, the Sonics made one of the most high-profiled trades in team history in acquiring Ray Allen, Ronald Murray and a draft pick for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason.
Although that deal gave Seattle a shot in the arm – the Sonics finished the season with a 21-11 record over their final 32 games – another big-time trade at next week’s deadline is unlikely.
The Sonics could certainly use an influx of talent if they’re serious about making a playoff run, but the available bodies are limited – especially now that Rasheed Wallace and Shareef Abdur-Rahim have been dealt.
“What we’re doing is what was planned,” Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. “You don’t make a trade just to patch things up. There’s a long-term plan here. We knew we’d have a young team and that we would have some tough times; it’s always a roller coaster ride in the West. But now you can’t, just because we’re in the mix, push the panic button. That would be a mistake.”
The jury is still out on how the Ray Allen era will be remembered in Seattle, but the initial rewards last season were surprising. Seattle’s strong finish to the season left reason for optimism.
Things haven’t gone so smoothly in this, his first full season in Seattle.
“There was a honeymoon period for me when a lot of people didn’t know what to expect,” Allen said. “A lot of people didn’t know how I would fit in. But now they have a tape of it, and teams have adjusted.
“I need Jerome (James) to step up and have a big game, or Vitaly (Potapenko) to step up or Flip (Murray). Other teams need to know that their sole intention can’t just be on me and Rashard (Lewis).”
Like McMillan, Allen doesn’t believe the Sonics should make a trade unless it makes sense for both the present and the future.
“It would all depend highly on who you’re trading for,” Allen said. “If there’s not a viable talent that you can get to make this team get better, you don’t do it just to do it.”
Playing hurt: Three Sonics who missed time at Monday’s practice played through the pain Tuesday.
Allen (sprained shoulder), Lewis (sore wrist) and Vladimir Radmanovic (facial bruise) were available despite injuries.
“They’re ready to go, but they still have those nicks,” McMillan said before Tuesday’s game. “Most NBA players, at this time, are playing with some soreness.”
Good to be in the West: After watching Eastern Conference coaches go down like ducks during hunting season, McMillan is happy to be on the other side of the country.
The Sonics aren’t exactly playoff favorites, yet McMillan’s job security is much better than that of recently fired coaches like Byron Scott, Doc Rivers and Randy Ayers.
“Out there, those teams see an opportunity to move up in the standings,” McMillan said. “You look at the talent, and there’s not a huge gap between the first-place teams and the teams in eighth place. Here, you have the top four teams, and then the last six.
“Maybe those (Eastern) coaches see the opportunity if the right pieces are involved. But the organization, if they see an opportunity to change, they will change.”
Tip ins: Reggie Evans replaced Calvin Booth as the starting power forward. McMillan opted for Evans over Vladimir Radmanovic because he likes the fact that Radmanovic had scored 19 or more points off the bench in three of the previous five games. … Over the five-game stretch before Tuesday’s game, guard Ronald “Flip” Murray averaged 4.5 points on 8-of-23 shooting.
Scott M. Johnson
Opponent: Toronto
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: KeyArena
TV: KONG (6/16)
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
