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Westbrook, White sign rookie contracts with Sonics (AP)

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:56:24 PDT

First-round picks Russell Westbrook and D.J. White have signed multiyear contracts with the Seattle SuperSonics. Westbrook, a guard, was taken fourth overall out of UCLA. White, a forward, was drafted by Detroit with the 29th overall pick out of Indiana and traded to the Sonics for the 32nd pick, Walter Sharpe, and the 46th selection, Trent Plaisted.

Sonics ink first-rounders Westbrook, White (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:58:45 PDT

The Seattle SuperSonics signed guard Russell Westbrook and forward D.J. White to multi-year contracts on Friday.

Sonics G Watson undergoes surgery (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:36:43 PDT

Seattle SuperSonics guard Earl Watson underwent surgery to repair a fractured right thumb, the team announced Friday.

No decision made on Sonics' practice facilities (AP)

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:24:32 PDT

When the New Orleans Hornets arrived in Oklahoma City weeks before the 2005-06 season, one of their first priorities was to find a place to practice. It's also a major concern for the Seattle SuperSonics, who -- unlike the Hornets -- will be moving permanently to Oklahoma before the upcoming season. A taxpayer-funded practice facility is planned but won't be ready for at least 18 months, meaning...

Seattle faces challenges to bring NBA back (AP)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:27:30 PDT

As the SuperSonics pack for the move to Oklahoma City, basketball fans and city officials were hopeful about the provisions of the team's departure deal that could lead to a new NBA franchise in Seattle. But meeting those requirements will be no easy task. Basketball boosters will have to win over a balky state Legislature and local voters who have grown weary of building stadiums for pro sports...

Judge who ruled on when players can join NBA dies (AP)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:42:05 PDT

Warren Ferguson, a judge for more than four decades who helped pave the way for teenage basketball players to join the NBA, has died. He was 87. Ferguson died June 25 of congestive heart failure at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, said his son, Peter. Ferguson was a federal judge in 1971 when he ruled in an antitrust case brought by Spencer Haywood, who wanted to sign with the Seattle...

The 10-man rotation, starring the greatest Sonics (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:05:12 PDT

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and...

SuperSonics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:27:04 PDT

It's over.

Forty-one years of history and memories were sold for as much as $75 million Wednesday. Seattle will keep the Sonics' name, colors and logo, but the team itself will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season.

In a settlement between the team's Oklahoma City-based ownership and the city of Seattle, owner Clay Bennett and his partners will pay the city $45 million now and would pay an additional $30 million in 2013 if the state authorizes at least $75 million in public funds to renovate KeyArena or if Seattle doesn't nab another unfortunate city's NBA franchise in the next five years.

"We made it," said Bennett. "The NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season."

NBA commissioner David Stern indicated that a renovated KeyArena might be enough to...

Last-minute deal lets Sonics move to Oklahoma City (AP)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:45:21 PDT

Clay Bennett finally found a dollar amount that would sever his contentious relationship with the city of Seattle -- $75 million. As a result, the SuperSonics are headed to Oklahoma City with Bennett leading the way, leaving behind the team name, colors and 41 years of history. Oklahoma City will have an NBA franchise for the 2008-09 season after a settlement announced Wednesday between the team...

Sonics released from lease after last-minute settlement (PA SportsTicker)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:29:43 PDT

In a stunning turn of events, the Seattle SuperSonics have reached a deal with the city on Wednesday that will release the team from its lease at KeyArena and allow majority owner Clay Bennett to immediately move the franchise to his hometown of Oklahoma City.

Sonics expect to be in Oklahoma next season (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:33:00 PDT

Last-minute settlement between Sonics and city of Seattle open way for Oklahoma City move.

Heat might just find a point guard during free agency mayhem (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:52:39 PDT

Don't be surprised, with the Seattle SuperSonics also at the Orlando summer league next week, if the Miami Heat...

KD's DVDs: Seattle at Houston, 1997 (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:01:15 PDT

Seattle SuperSonics at Houston Rockets, May 17 th , 1997 So, I've an old DVD of Game 7 of the Western...

Sonics PG Earl Watson breaks thumb (AP)

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:52:08 PDT

Starting point guard Earl Watson fractured his right thumb will have surgery Thursday in Los Angeles, the SuperSonics said Tuesday. The Sonics said the injury has a typical recovery period of 3-4 months. Last season, the 29-year-old Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7), assists (6.8), rebounds (2.9) and minutes (29.1).

Team-by-team draft grades (Yahoo! Sports)

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:54:00 PDT

Teams receive report cards for their performance in the 2008 draft.

Sonics, Seattle, NBA wait for judge's decision (AP)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:45:33 PDT

A point man for Seattle's efforts to keep the SuperSonics in town isn't exactly worrying while he awaits a federal judge's decision next week on whether the team will stay or move immediately to Oklahoma City. "Some will go back to work. And some will party. I'll do a little of both," Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis joked Thursday after the end of the trial over the remaining two years on the Sonics'...

Sonics, Kings, Rockets biggest losers in NBA draft (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:00:48 PDT

According to the Miami Herald the three teams that were least productive in Thursday's NBA draft were: Seattle...

Bulls take Rose with No. 1 pick in NBA draft (AP)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:45:15 PDT

Minutes after the NBA draft started, Derrick Rose learned he was headed home. Long after it ended, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love were on the move. A night that began with the expected pick ended with a stunning trade, which had two top-five selections changing teams as part of an eight-player deal between Minnesota and Memphis.

Sonics have 4th draft pick on day trial ends (AP)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:41:43 PDT

As the squabbling, contentious trial that will ultimately determine where the Seattle SuperSonics play the 2008-09 season ends Thursday, Sonics general manager Sam Presti wouldn't mind a little attention paid to the basketball side of Seattle's operations. Holding the No. 4 pick in Thursday night's NBA draft -- among the Sonics' six total picks -- is a good start.

NBA Draft Attack: No. 4 Seattle SuperSonics (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:30:45 PDT

Ball Don't Lie continues counting down potential NBA Draft lottery picks. Because Skeets is far from a college...

Beasley shaping up as draft's wild card (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:30:00 PDT

Miami's decision on what to do (or not do) with Michael Beasley could determine rest of lottery order for NBA draft.

Draft buzz (Yahoo! Sports)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:58:00 PDT

Are the Minnesota Timberwolves locking in on O.J. Mayo?

NBA draft likely to finally separate Lopez twins (AP)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:01:28 PDT

Brook and Robin Lopez have been playing basketball together since the first grade. From driveway 1-on-1 to high school in Fresno, Calif., and later at Stanford, the twin 7-footers have never been far apart. So you could forgive them for being sentimental about the future. The NBA draft on Thursday will likely separate the 20-year-olds for the first time in their lives.

Celtics, Lakers favorites to win 2009 NBA title (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:48:00 PDT

In case you're curious, here are the current odds for the 2009 NBA championship, courtesty of Bodog: Boston...

Seattle mayor to lead off witnesses in Sonics trial (AP)

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:58:42 PDT

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels will be the first witness to testify on Monday when the city's lawsuit seeking to keep the SuperSonics from leaving for Oklahoma City goes to trial. Nickels is expected to testify about the role the basketball team plays in the cultural and civic life of Seattle. Paul Lawrence, a lawyer for the city, said Nickels will be followed on the stand Monday by former Seattle...

Sonics think $10M should buy out Seattle lease (AP)

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:52:23 PDT

Seattle has already rejected owner Clay Bennett's $26 million offer to take his SuperSonics to Oklahoma City immediately. Now the Sonics are trying to make that deal look sweet compared to what could be coming. Seattle's oldest professional sports franchise, with 41 years in town, is seeking to break the final two years of its lease at KeyArena by paying the city a sum of no more than $10 million...

Tulsa becomes Sonics' minor league affiliate (AP)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:23:21 PDT

In the midst of the SuperSonics' bid to relocate to Oklahoma City, the team's NBA Developmental League affiliate was moved to Tulsa on Wednesday. The NBA announced an expansion and realignment of the minor league circuit, including a change that will associate the Sonics with the Tulsa 66ers instead of the Idaho Stampede.

Bennett's deposition reveals new points (AP)

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:16:03 PDT

Clay Bennett wants his SuperSonics to play in Oklahoma City next season because it's his hometown. That, and about 80 million other reasons. The Sonics owner says his team would make almost $20 million if it played in Oklahoma City during the next two years. He suggests the team will lose more than $60 million -- about 20 percent of what he paid for it -- if it stays in Seattle for two more "lame...

Sonics F Wilcox arrested on weapon charges (PA SportsTicker)

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:54:10 PDT

BLADENBORO, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Seattle SuperSonics forward Chris Wilcox was arrested last weekend on weapons charges.