The Seattle Supersonics' story has been like a roller-coaster this past year. First, the team gets bought by Clay Bennet, who promises to move the team to Oklahoma City if a new stadium is not built. Second, the team hits some luck by getting the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. They selected Texas University forward Kevin Durant, whom many think is destined for stardom. Third, the new general manager trades star guard Ray Allen and allows star forward Rashard Lewis go to Orlando via free agency. Fourth, partial owner Audrey McClendon says in an interview with an Oklahoma City newspaper that the group never intended for the Sonics to stay in Seattle. Bennet denies that claim and the league fined McClendon a hefty $250,000.
It's fairly certain the Sonics will struggle this upcoming season. The question is how much will they struggle? The Sonics have a lot of young talent, but they lack offense beyond Durant and oft-injured Wally Szczerbiak. Moreover, they were one of the five worst teams in the league in 2007 with Allen and Lewis. That doesn't bode well for them improving when those two aren't even on the roster.
Aside from Durant, the Sonics also landed Georgetown University forward Jeff Green with the fifth overall pick in the 2007 Draft (the pick was part of the package that sent Ray Allen to Boston). Green is a versatile forward who probably won't ever become a 20-points-per-game scorer, but should be a top-flight defender who could also contribute in many other ways. There has been some indication that Durant might start at shooting guard despite his 6-10 frame.
Statistics Projections/Depth Chart
- Center: Robert Swift 12.1 ppg, 8.7 rbpg, 2.0 bspg (back up: Kurt Thomas)
- Power Forward: Chris Wilcox 14.4 ppg, 8.2 rbpg (back up: Nick Collison)
- Small Forward: Jeff Green 10.1 ppg, 5.6 rbpg (back up: Wally Szczerbiak)
- Point Guard: Luke Ridnour 11.7 ppg, 6.3 apg (back up: Earl Watson)
- Shooting Guard: Kevin Durant 20.6 ppg, 6.2 rbpg (back up: Delonte West)
Key Losses
The Sonics will have to go to battle without Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. That was 48.8 ppg, 11.1 rbpg and 3.5 made three-pointers per game last season. As the roster's currently set up, there is a lot of pressure on Durant to score and be the go-to-guy right away and without a whole lot of help. The Sonics have also lost some reserves, like Mike Wilks, Danny Fortson and Andre Brown.
Key Additions
Aside from drafting Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, the Sonics also acquired Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West (with Green) in the Ray Allen trade, and made a move to lure Kurt Thomas from Phoenix.
Team Rumors
The ongoing rumor about the Supersonics is that the franchise (along with the Storm, its WNBA counterparts) is moving to Oklahoma City or somewhere else, like Las Vegas. However, that would still be at least a year out.
Prediction
Don't be fooled by the Kevin Durant hype. As great as he may be, he won't be enough to save the Sonics from a miserable season. Expect them to have a high lottery pick in 2008 after finishing with a 22-60 record in 2007-2008. They will be more defensive-minded, which will help them in the long run, but the learning curve will be steep. Robert Swift will make a case for NBA's Most Improved Player, while Durant will win the 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Fantasy Spin
Kevin Durant could be a great player right away, but be careful about drafting him too early in your fantasy draft. His hype has no ceiling and rookies are risky selections. Even if he shows he can score and board right away, as he was able to do at the college level, don't be surprised if those great numbers come with high turnovers and a low field goal percentage, which is often the case with rookies.
Robert Swift could be a late round steal in fantasy drafts. He's better than many realize and he's gained about 40lbs of muscle.
Other solid late round picks might include Chris Wilcox (he will have more opportunities to rebound and more touches in the block this season even though he doesn't have much of a post up game); Luke Ridnour (if he can become more consistent, he's great for assists); and, if he can stay healthy, Wally Szczerbiak (a boost in points and threes never hurts. The Sonics will rely on his scoring prowess to help Durant).
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