March 2007 Oklahoma City Thunder Wiretap

Allen Will Try To Help Keep Lewis

Apr 28, 2007 5:12 PM

Ray Allen said he'll do everything he can to help the Sonics retain forward Rashard Lewis, who plans to opt out of the final two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

Two years ago, Allen was in a similar position. Like Lewis, he was one of the top free agents on the market, seeking a maximum-level contract.

"I knew what I had here as a team and that's something that I hope Rashard realizes," said Allen. "He's getting older and the older you get, the more costlier it is for you in terms of your career if you make a mistake.

"Teams are going to throw money at him. The important thing is not let your ego get caught up in that. I fully support guys getting the best deal that they can get, but there's no price on peace of mind. [Lewis] has to know that he has a place on this team and in this community that's special, and you can't put a value on that."

Seattle PI

Tags: Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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Sonics' Allen Laments Hill's Dismissal

Apr 28, 2007 6:00 AM

Bob Hill is no longer the Sonics' coach, but he won't be forgotten any time soon. At least not by Ray Allen.

"Bob was the best coach that I've had in my career," the All-Star Sonics guard said. "He and I were able to discuss things on and off the floor. Through 82 games, our relationship was great under some tough circumstances.

"He would have been great for me for the rest of my career. I understand the organization has to do what's best for them and I stand by the organization, because it's not about me and what I want or did not want. But I'm not happy that Bob is gone. Not at all."

Since his rookie year in 1996, Allen has had five head coaches (Chris Ford, George Karl, Nate McMillan, Bob Weiss and Hill). He said Hill had the most positive influence on his career.

Seattle Times

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The Vegas Sonics?

Apr 27, 2007 2:40 PM

Las Vegas could be an attractive market for the NBA team should it leave the Pacific Northwest says Clay Bennett, majority owner of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Bennett spoke Wednesday at a meeting of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has also said he might favor Oklahoma City as the new home of the team.

SI.com

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Lenny Wilkens Says He's The SuperSonics' New President

Apr 27, 2007 3:46 AM

Lenny Wilkens says he has been promoted from vice chairman to president of the Seattle SuperSonics and is no longer a candidate for the team's vacant head coaching and general manager positions.

The 69-year-old Wilkens says he will lead a search to fill both jobs, but declined to give a timeline.

Sonics principal owner Clay Bennett, an Oklahoma City businessman, fired coach Bob Hill and stripped Rick Sund of his general manager's title this week. Sund will be a consultant for the Sonics in the final year of his contract.

Sports Illustrated

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Agent: Lewis Will Not Go Back To Sonics With Offers From Other Clubs

Apr 26, 2007 2:43 PM

Tony Dutt, the agent for Rashard Lewis, said his client will not go back to the Sonics with offers from other clubs to see if they will match.

Lewis said after the Sonics' April 20 loss to Dallas that he planned to give the Sonics the opportunity to match offers. Dutt said he expects the Sonics to make a competitive offer by July 1, the first day teams are eligible to negotiate with free agents.

"I can't honestly say that's not what we meant. That's not the way it was meant," Dutt said Wednesday. "It's important for them to know that. We'll see how they really feel about him come July 1. Rashard's expectations are such. We want everyone to be in the same situation. We'll look at all of our options. We expect them to kind of show us what his feeling of worth is as well."

Seattle PI

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San Antonio's Presti A Possible GM For Seattle?

Apr 26, 2007 12:24 PM

Spurs assistant general manager Sam Presti has been mentioned as a candidate for Seattle's vacant general manager position, but team officials said the SuperSonics have yet to request permission to speak with him.

The Spurs have acknowledged they expect Presti to eventually be running his own team.

GM R.C. Buford also has been mentioned as a candidate, but is unlikely to have interest in the position if Bennett retains Lenny Wilkens as his primary decision-maker.

San Antonio Express-News

Tags: San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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More Doubts About Sonics' Future As Land Deal Falters

Apr 26, 2007 2:56 AM

Doubts about the Sonics' long-term future in the region intensified Wednesday, when it was disclosed to the Seattle P-I that the team never executed an agreement to purchase land for a new arena in Renton.

The developer that was going to sell the property rights for 21 acres near the south end of Lake Washington to the Sonics intends to build a retail and housing project there, and the city is moving forward with other projects.

But Jim Kneeland, a Sonics spokesman, said if the team could get an arena plan back on track, "We would be after that land again."

That scenario, however, doesn't look promising.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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Seattle Fires Sund And Hill

Apr 24, 2007 7:32 PM

Seattle SuperSonics Head Coach Bob Hill will not return to the team next season and General Manager Rick Sund will serve the organization as a consultant during the remaining one year of his contract, it was announced today by Sonics
Chairman Clay Bennett.

Bennett and Sonics Vice-Chairman Lenny Wilkens will lead the search for a new General Manager and Head Coach of the SuperSonics.

"Bob Hill and Rick Sund are fine individuals of excellent personal character and are basketball men through and through. They were both extremely helpful to us during this challenging year of transition. We are sincerely appreciative to them for their service and we wish them
only the very best," Bennett said.  

"While there is uncertainty as to the future physical location of our franchise, our commitment to creating a culture of competitive excellence for this organization is unwavering. We absolutely aspire to win championships."

Press Release

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Sonics' Head Coach, GM To Learn Fates 'Soon'

Apr 18, 2007 3:29 AM

Seattle SuperSonics majority owner Clay Bennett will decide soon -- perhaps by week's end -- whether coach Bob Hill or general manager Rick Sund will return next season.

"We've gone through this process and have made some decisions. We'll make some announcements, I think, soon," Bennett said Tuesday in a conference call from New York.

Sports Illustrated

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Sonics Owner: Lease Won't Keep Team From Moving

Apr 18, 2007 12:51 AM

Seattle SuperSonics majority owner Clay Bennett said Tuesday that the NBA team likely will not play in Seattle beyond the 2007-08 season.

Bennett said Gov. Chris Gregoire won't call lawmakers into special session so the team can continue to push for taxpayer money for a new $500 million arena. And he said the Sonics will honor their KeyArena lease that runs through 2010 -- but most likely only through "a legal exercise."

"That may or may not mean the team will play there," Bennett said, knowing Seattle's NBA team for the last 40 years is obligated to stay in the city only for one more season.

"I'm not sure it makes sense to play there if relocation [is imminent]."

ESPN

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Sonics Gone After Next Season?

AP

Kobe Scores 50 To Carry Lakers Into The Playoffs

Yahoo!

Lewis Readies For Possible Last Game With Sonics

AP

Sonics' Watson Wearing Boot

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Sonics Sign Livingston

Press Release

Wilcox Has Locker Run-In

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Sonics Lose Watson To Injury

AP

Wells' Season Takes A Strange Turn

AP

Sonics' Allen Undergoes Successful Ankle Surgery

Press Release

Ridnour Carried Off Court With Ankle Injury

AP

Hornets Lose Starters Chandler, Mason To Injuries

ESPN