By: Tony LuftmanThere is so much drama surrounding the Sonics and whether they will be in Seattle beyond this season that not enough attention is being paid to the '07-'08 team that is already in training camp. P.J. Carlesimo's first season at the helm will be exciting on the court even as things continue to swirl controversially off the floor for the franchise.
Last Year:
Seattle finished last in the division with a 31-51 record and missed the playoffs. It was the team's worst record since also finishing the 1985-86 season at 31-51.
Key Storylines: (On the floor)
There were 2 players in the 2007 Draft class that stood head and shoulders above their peers: Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. The Blazers won the Draft Lottery and picked Oden #1 and the Sonics got the 2nd pick and used it to select Durant. With Oden likely sidelined for the year after micro-fracture surgery, Durant is the odds on favorite to be the league's most exciting and valuable rookie.
Durant's skills are unbelievable and Carlesimo is taking an interesting step to see to it that the development of his offensive game isn't stunted: The 6'9 Durant is preparing to play the 2 spot for Seattle. His coach said, "In my opinion, that's where he's best suited right now because of the way he shoots the ball, the way he handles the ball, and the fact that he is not as physical right now as he's going to be before he's done. He's like -- he's not like Magic Johnson at all -- but he's like Magic in that you can play him probably any of four positions, if not five. Playing the 2, he's not going to get beat up, box to box, the whole game." It seems logical but only time will tell if it works.
New GM Sam Presti has also brought in another talented rookie in Jeff Green and he will be a productive player in his first season. It was an offseason of major change as the Sonics traded Ray Allen to the Celtics for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Green on draft night and lost Rashard Lewis to free agency. Clearly it will be a rebuilding year for the Sonics but financially speaking Seattle is positioning itself nicely for the future. Szczerbiak's contract expires in 2009 and so does the hefty contract of Chris Wilcox so Sam Presti could have about $20 million to work with at that time.
Projection:
As for this year Durant will win Rookie of the Year but the team will struggle, finish 4th in the Northwest Division ahead of only the Timberwolves and miss the playoffs again.
