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.