Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports: Seattle SuperSonics coach Nate McMillan said Sunday that even if injured power forward Vin Baker is able to play in the season opener against Sacramento on Tuesday, he likely won't start.

Baker strained his back last week, and has been unable to practice with the team since. He went through some drills at the Sonics' open practice at the Stadium Exhibition Center on Sunday morning, but was unable to participate any further, leaving McMillan in a difficult position for the team's first game.

"He hasn't practiced in close to a week," McMillan said. "So even if he comes back, starting him is something we will have to decide on. We may bring him off the bench that first game or two. We will have to wait to see where he is at, how he is feeling, and basically go from there."

Baker left practice early and was unavailable for comment, but it is an ominous start for a player who is trying to rebuild a reputation that has been badly tarnished over the past three seasons.

Granted, McMillan said if Baker comes off the bench for a few games, it is not a permanent move.

In other Sonics news, The Sonics would like to have only 13 players on the active roster, but injuries will force them to keep 14, CEO Wally Walker said, when they have to finalize rosters today. That means - at least for now - Art Long will be a part of the team. He will remain until Predrag Drobnjak returns from his severely sprained ankle. Drobnjak and guard Shammond Williams are likely to begin the season on the injured list, though Williams will go to the doctor today to have his broken finger examined and evaluated. He took a splint off it recently and was dribbling with both hands. "But I can't imagine what a doctor can say that will change anything about a broken finger," Walker said.