SEATTLE – Vlade Radmanovic of the Seattle SuperSonics has no idea whether he will return to the court this season.
Likewise, the third-year forward cannot say whether he will be back next season.
Radmanovic is likely to miss Seattle’s final six games with a sprained right ankle suffered in last Wednesday’s game at Minnesota. Dressed in street clothes, he was walking gingerly at Saturday’s midday practice and it seems doubtful he will be healthy enough to play before the team’s April 14 season finale.
His absence for the 2004-05 season, though, is an entirely different matter. Now that Seattle is out of playoff contention, the team can begin looking at offseason options. Over the coming months there will be a first-round draft pick (probably between Nos. 8-12), there will be continuing negotiations with soon-to-be unrestricted free-agent guard Brent Barry, and there will be trade talks with other NBA clubs.
When the latter occurs, figure Radmanovic’s name to come up. Because of his youth and his still-promising upside, he is a player the Sonics can dangle in their efforts to upgrade.
Why would Seattle think of trading someone with Radmanovic’s potential? For one, his preferred position is small forward, which is the same spot played by Rashard Lewis, Seattle’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder. For another, he is a finesse player – he prefers the perimeter – on a team badly in need of inside bruisers.
In other words, Seattle may not be an ideal fit for Radmanovic, who says he just wants a good opportunity, whether with the Sonics or elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, it’s not up to me to make decisions,” he said Saturday. “Management and the coaches, they are the guys that are making the decisions with this team. My wishes and what I would like to do really doesn’t matter.”
Asked about the possibility that he has played his last game as a Sonic, Radmanovic said, “Maybe it was my last game as a Sonic, but it’s not my last basketball game. As long as it’s not my last basketball game, I’m happy about that. Changing to a different team is probably going to be a little of a hard transition, if that happens, but that’s my job. That’s what I have to do.
“As long as I’m here, I’m going to (do) whatever I have to do, but if they decide it’s better for them and for me to go somewhere else, and if it’s good for both sides, then they have all summer to make that decision.”
Sonics general manager Rick Sund was not available for comment Saturday. Nate McMillan begged off questions about Radmanovic’s season and his future.
“I don’t want to start talking about guys and assessing their seasons until it’s over,” he said.
Radmanovic, meanwhile, said he expects to stay in Seattle for several weeks after the end of the season. Then he will return to Europe and begin preparing for the Summer Olympics with the national team of Serbia-Montenegro, which could give the United States a good run for the gold medal.
Beyond that, Radmanovic said he can only wait and see.
“I wish I can (stay with the Sonics),” he said, “but Rashard is here. The guy is playing good at that position and he’s been here more than I have. He deserves that spot, I guess. All I’m trying to do is get my opportunity and get my chance.
“Like I said, if it’s not here then hopefully it’s going to be somewhere else where I’m going to play (my) original position, stay healthy and win. That’s all I’m asking for.”
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