Luke Ridnour's contract extension with the Sonics is believed to be worth $18 million over three seasons.

Talks between general manager Rick Sund and Ridnour's agent, Lon Babby, intensified this weekend, and the agreement was finalized after Sund met with new owner Clay Bennett.

"I'm excited that it's over with and now I can get ready to play," said Ridnour, who has averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 assists in 230 career games. "This is where I want to be. I like what we've got going here, and I am excited about being a part of where the organization is going."

Seattle SuperSonics General Manager Rick Sund announced today that the Sonics have signed Luke Ridnour to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

?We're very excited about extending Luke's contract,? Sund said. ?It's a good fit for both sides. Luke has proven over the last three seasons that he can lead this team, and we're happy about keeping him with the Sonics. We feel like the combination of Luke and Earl Watson at the point guard position is a great tandem and one of the best back court tandems in the league.?

Last season, Ridnour averaged career highs in all three major statistical categories, with 11.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. He shot 87.7 percent (199-227) from the foul line. Ridnour has appeared in 230 NBA games in three seasons with the Sonics and holds career averages of 9.2 points, 5.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He has connected on 87 percent (423-486) of his free throws. Ridnour was the 14th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

?I'm very pleased to be a part of the Sonics organization for years to come,? said Ridnour. ?My style of play compliments the way we like to play as a team. I'm excited to help lead this team to future success.?

The Seattle SuperSonics and point guard Luke Ridnour have agreed on a multi-year contract extension.  

The length and terms of the extension are not known at this hour.

A press conference to make a formal announcement has been schedule for 8:00 PM EST.

With Robert Swift out for the season, Mouhamed Sene is expected to be the starting center for the Sonics.  He should average about 15 minutes per game.

"I'm trying. I'm learning," he said. "I have confidence in myself and I know that it's going to come.

"Becoming a good player is all in your head, and I know if I keep working hard, I'll eventually realize my dream because I do have dreams about the NBA. It's hard, but I'm a man, and you have to work hard to get what you want."

Seattle SuperSonics forward Danny Fortson has been suspended  for one game without pay and his flagrant foul, penalty one has been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with :03 remaining in the first period when Fortson made excessive contact with  Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest's head and body during the SuperSonics 103-88 defeat of the Kings Wednesday, October 25 at KeyArena in Seattle. Fortson will serve his suspension when the SuperSonics open their season at home on November 1 vs. Portland.

The Sonics will enter their 40th season without one of their key younger players, as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer learned Thursday night that center Robert Swift will miss the season with a right knee injury.

According to a Sonics player and another member of the organization, Swift's MRI revealed major damage that will cost him the year. Team physician Richard Zorn will examine the MRI results today and the team is expected to make an announcement this afternoon.

The Sonics player said the team was informed of the news before Thursday's 111-107 overtime preseason win over Golden State at Spokane Arena.

Sonics coach Bob Hill refused to address the extent of Swift's injury before the game, telling reporters the team would handle the results upon its return to Seattle. Swift, 20, was injured in the first two minutes of the team's 103-88 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

"I feel really bad for Robert because he worked so hard," Hill said after Wednesday's game. "He came in to Furtado (Center) every day and lifted and it made a difference. I was really excited for him."

Seattle coach Bob Hill said he expects starting center Robert Swift to miss the season opener Wednesday against Portland, but declined to speculate further on the extent of Swift's knee injury.

Swift was injured in Wednesday's win over Sacramento.

Seattle SuperSonics & Storm President and CEO Wally Walker will leave his position with the franchise as it coincides with the sale of the club, effective Tuesday, Oct. 31. Below are statements from Walker, Clay Bennett, Chairman of the Professional Basketball Club (PBC), and Howard Schultz, Chairman of the Basketball Club of Seattle (BCOS).

"With the transfer of the Sonics & Storm to the Professional Basketball Club imminent, it is time to announce that I will leave the Sonics & Storm in conjunction with the ownership change next week," said Walker.

"I've enjoyed more than 19 years with the Sonics organization in a variety of roles and the last 12-plus years as a minority owner. I'm humbled by the opportunities and experiences I've had with the Sonics, and I'm very proud of this organization."

The Seattle SuperSonics have requested waivers on Denham Brown and Milt Palacio.

Seattle's roster now stands at 15 players.

As the sale of the Sonics and Storm inches toward being official, it's a foregone conclusion that team president Wally Walker will not be retained and not part of the new ownership group, according to a source familiar with the process.

The sale of the Sonics and Storm to The Professional Basketball Club (LLC), led by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett, was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on Wednesday. The transaction won't be official until Tuesday, when the $350 million is exchanged.

Walker said Wednesday night during the Sonics' 103-88 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings that he will not comment until Tuesday, but according to the source, he has been notified that he will not have a role with the team.

Through a team spokesman, Walker denied that a scheduled party Friday to be given by him and his wife, Linda, for Sonics employees and officials is a "farewell event" for Walker. The spokesman said the party is a "thank-you" to team employees.