Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: KeyArena, Seattle
TV: None
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
The NBA trading deadline is today, which means the fellows in Seattle’s locker room will be keeping a lookout for team president Wally Walker and general manager Rick Sund.
Because a player’s contract is a huge factor in all trade negotiations, some players are more likely trade targets than others. “And they know who they are,” said coach Nate McMillan. ” (A player’s contract) may make it easier to move (one guy) instead of the next guy.”
Every NBA athlete realizes that “this is a business,” he said, meaning that no trade is ever a total shock. Still, he added, “I’m sure there’s a concern for some of them until (today) when the deadline passes. Then it’s like a relief.”
Speaking of trades: Golden State center Marc Jackson expanded his trade list Wednesday to include Seattle, Utah, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, New Jersey and Milwaukee. His original list had just three acceptable teams: Memphis, Indiana and Orlando.
Jackson signed a six-year, $24 million offer sheet with Houston before the start of this season, but he was a restricted free agent and the Warriors matched the offer. Jackson has the right to veto any deal for one calendar year.
Jackson said he added the Nets, Bucks, Sonics and Jazz to his list because all are contending teams with needs at the center position. He would be a backup in New Jersey behind centers Todd MacCulloch and Jason Collins and power forward Kenyon Martin, whereas he’d have a better chance of starting or playing a larger role in Milwaukee, Seattle, New York or Utah.
Top guns: The Sonics knew they had a good perimeter shooting team before the season, but no one knew they would be this good.
Seattle has taken over the NBA lead in field goal shooting (46.6 percent) and 3-point percentage (39.2). Leading the way is Brent Barry, who entered Thursday’s game 10th in field goal shooting (51.1, 247-for-483) and seventh in 3-point shooting (44.1, 109-for-247). Then there is the curious case of forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who continues to shoot better from the 3-point stripe (40.4, 46-for-114) than from the field (39.4, 98-for-249). From inside the line, Radmanovic is shooting just 38.5 (52-for-135).
Baker update: The Sonics still have no clear idea when they will get Vin Baker back in action. Baker suffered three dislocated toes on his left foot in a Feb. 14 game against the Los Angeles Lakers and will continue to wear a walking boot for another two weeks, according to McMillan. At that point Baker will be re-evaluated, meaning it may be mid-March at the earliest before he returns.
Rich Myhre and Herald news services
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