Posts by Tom Ziller at FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Hint: it's the same as the old challenge to Seattle arena plans! Niki Sullivan of the Tacoma News Tribune reports on early sentiments out of the Washington State Legislature regarding the only hope to get the funds necessary to renovate Seattle's KeyArena in hopes of being ready to receive the next relocating NBA franchise.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Margarita Prentice were all mum Thursday about the odds of agreeing on an arena renovation deal next year.

"I'm not saying we won't act, but I think we need to be deliberative," said Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who is on the task force created by the Legislature to assess King County taxes, some of which are being used to pay off debt on Safeco Field, Qwest Field and the old Kingdome.

While Clay Bennett proved himself to be a lying snake, the Legislature had obvious culpability in its repeated rejections of any former branch-offering from old owner Howard Schultz, commish David Stern, and Bennett. Even if the old arena plans (which often included $500-million new buildings in the 'burbs) were bad, the Leg didn't have to be so hostile to the NBA. Stern often cites the Legislature's rhetoric and grandstanding in his assertions Bennett's obligated to leave Seattle.

The day after your city loses its longest-standing professional sports franchise, you should probably show at least a modicum of reconciliation if you have any hopes of getting the NBA back. It almost seems like (shock) these politicians don't want a team here ... which is really unfortunate for the fans, considering the new renovation plan seems to call for public funding (a tax on hotel stays -- not exactly pillaging the working-class of Washington) makes up only 25% of the total funding needed. The Legislature is either overly cautious with respects to anti-tax forces, or seriously uncommitted to getting the NBA back.

There's a potential for a real organizational shake-up as the Un-Sonics move to Oklahoma City. It seems Clay Bennett fully understands if some employees don't want to give up the community they've built their career in, and the franchise has offered bonuses for sticking with the team that past two seasons regardless of whether the employees move to OKC, according to Percy Allen of the Seattle Times.

But if you do go with Bennett to OKC, your next pay stub might include an unwelcome surprise.

Anyone who leaves can negotiate a relocation package; however, employees were told to expect a decrease in salary because the cost of living is lower in Oklahoma City.

"The cost of living is lower in Oklahoma City" is quite an understatement. As an example: according to HousingTracker, the median home price in OKC is $159,900. In Seattle, it's $425,000. Chris Wilcox can buy that dude ranch he's always wanted! Yeah!

While Bennett can negotiate his middle-managers' salaries down, he'll have no such luck with his own players. It'll be interesting to see, though, if in the free agent market "low cost-of-living!" becomes the Un-Sonics' equivalent of Orlando's "no state income tax!" and New York's "we have stuff to do after 8 p.m.!"

As Situation Maggette remains unresolved, lesser wing free agents seem to be biding their time before the first domino falls. In one case -- James Posey -- a player are just now finding out they are considered lesser wing free agents than Corey Maggette, and that really sort of makes him upset. From the Boston Herald:

Free agent James Posey, via agent Mark Bartelstein, continued to talk to other NBA suitors in the wake of what he considers an unacceptable offer from his former team - one that falls short of the $5.8 million mid-level exception as well as his desire for a 4- to 5-year deal.

Boston has reportedly made that contract available to Maggette, which might contribute to Posey's air of insult. But is anyone willing to offer Posey -- a great defender, but a 31-year-old with limited offensive skills -- more than $25 million for four years of work? Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld reports Houston might throw that cash at Posey, to which I say ...

... what?! Posey is a poor man's Shane Battier. And the Rockets -- specifically general manager Daryl Morey -- love Shane Battier. They traded Rudy Gay for him. And Battier makes only $20 million over the next three years, is two years younger, and shoots substantially better from three on his career. Why on Earth would Houston bring in Posey when they have Battier, and why on Earth would Houston replace Battier with Posey? Makes no sense.

Let me start off by saying I would never give anyone back $16 million. Also, I have no problem with Gilbert Arenas making more than $100 million over six years -- I was ecstatic when hearing a rumor my favorite team had offered him the max. Finally, Gil has shown to be one of the most generous NBA stars alive, giving away his jerseys, his shoes, and his time to fans constantly. He's a hero.

That said, his $16-million discount -- very warm, very generous for him -- does it even actually help the Wizards on the court? The surprising answer ... yes! (It's surprising because we're a cynical people.) The Washington Post's Ivan Carter reports the structure of the deal should allow the 'Zards to sign a player to the full mid-level and vet's exceptions. Had Arenas taken the max, the full mid-level would have thrust the team into luxury tax territory, which isn't going to happen. So the team can add a piece with this move.

What piece will it be? Carter offers up current 'Zard Roger Mason (he wouldn't technically take the mid-level, but would use up some of the luxury tax cushion) and roaming man James Posey. And Gil's got an extra pitch to make from whomever Washington targets.

"I want to win a championship here in D.C. I want to have a parade that goes right past the White House. Me and Barack Obama. How cool would that be? I really think that with the players we already have and with a couple of moves, we can do it."

Besides maybe Spencer Hawes, who wouldn't want to parade past President Obama? That might be a better pull than Baron Davis.

With the Pacific Coast continues to deal with its arms race, Philadelphia has loudly addressed its desire for a top-drawer power forward of the future. As expected, the 76ers charged vigorously into a wooing of Atlanta's Josh Smith, a restricted free agent. The early indications look pretty good, according to Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"We had a great meeting and a great time visiting with everyone here [Wednesday], and we'll continue to talk tomorrow," Brian Dyke, one of Smith's agents, said late Wednesday night. "What I can tell you is that we're very impressed with 76ers organization and the city of the Philadelphia."

The AJ-C's Smith also reveals the offer Atlanta made last summer: $45 million over five years. That's a painfully small offer when you consider it will likely take at least $67 million to keep him this year. The Hawks could probably have locked him up for $50 or $55 million. Billy Knight, still haunting the Hawks in exile!

Meanwhile, on the Sixer side, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Phil Anastastia gets a few NBA scouts to agree Smith would be a good match for the team. Yep. He sure would be.

Next to Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop was the clear #2 most valuable asset Dallas sent away to New Jersey in the midseason acquisition of Jason Kidd. He was the best defender the Mavericks had at a key defensive position. Surely, we would have helped some in rejecting the advances of David West and Tyson Chandler in Dallas' five-game first-round loss to New Orleans. He wouldn't have flipped the series -- but he would have helped.

Apparently, the Mavericks think so too, as the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports Diop has reached a five-year deal with Dallas for the full mid-level. That will take DeSagana right through his prime (he's 26), and could leave Dallas with one of the best defenders in the league at center, which seems important as Andrew Bynum, Amare Stoudemire, Al Jefferson, and Greg Oden hang around the West.

The key question, one partially answered by the signing: how will Rick Carlisle use Diop? In three seasons under Avery Johnson, Diop averaged no more than 18 minutes a game. You might blame foul trouble, but Diop recorded only 1.9 fouls per game this season in his 17 minutes with Dallas.

Johnson is (was?) a notorious micro-manager, and his constant in-game substitutions always offered an opportunity for jokes for road crowds. Diop's never going to be even so good as a Dikembe Mutombo on offense, but with a steady diet of minutes, he could at least become a Mark Eaton type anchor through his prime.

We didn't set out to have a Roundtable discussion on the Sonics settlement. Things just sort of ... unfolded in an email thread. As such, it's a bit less formal in style than usual. This is the (edited) result.

Brett Edwards: [after several grousing emails and posts about the settlement from yours truly] Ziller's a closet Sonics fan.

Tom Ziller: I'm a Kings fan who fears the next Clay Bennett!

Matt Moore: Just fear Sacramento deciding to try and bully an owner they KNOW is looking for a way out, playing a game of chicken that they know they can't win after giving both their baseball and football teams (that they don't have) brand new state of the art stadiums, and then refusing to fund measures that would save the team.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Bennett's a jackass, but they KNEW he was a jackass and they decided to try and play hardball regardless.

So the Sonics will play home games in Oklahoma City next year. Actually, this collection of players employed by the Sonics will be playing home games in Oklahoma City next year, but with a different mascot and a different moniker. The 'Sonics' brand is the only thing staying in Seattle, besides $45 million of Clay Bennett's money. (The other $30 million will only pay out if the city has no NBA team by 2013.)

In his press conference (webcast by KING5.com), Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels confirmed the worst fears of fans: the city caved at the last minute. There is no guarantee of a replacement team in Seattle. There are no plans for NBA expansion on the table, nor any assurance from the league that Seattle will take priority should expansion be considered.

In fact, there are no freaking new plans! Nickels said the city would go back to the Legislature to ask for permission to collect taxes for a KeyArena renovation. This would be the same Legislature that has told everyone involved -- Bennett, David Stern, previous owner and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, prospective owner and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Nickels himself -- the Legislature has told all of them "no no no." The plan, as Nickels communicated it tonight, is to do the same, toothless maneuvering that has already failed repeatedly.

Even if that works -- there's no guarantee from the NBA they'll give Seattle a team! Stern released a statement, telling Seattle it needs to secure its funding plan for a $300 million renovation by the end of 2009 in order to have a shot at a potential, hypothetical team before 2013. His statement is replete with 'ifs.'

What exactly did the city get from this settlement? To me, it looks like a whole lot of nothing.

The Seattle Times reports U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman has announced there will be no decision in the Sonics-Seattle lawsuit because a settlement has been reached. The Times quotes sources saying the settlement includes a $75 million buy-out from Clay Bennett, but apparently no NBA promises of a new team in Seattle. And oh yeah, the Sonics are gone.

Greg Johns of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer cites a source who says Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, the former local owner of the Sonics, is not withdrawing his recent suit against Bennett as a part of the settlement. Schultz is suing to force either to rescinding of the 2006 sale of the team or a sale to a local group, based on the argument Bennett violated a specific clause in the purchase agreement which required the new owners to make good faith efforts to get an arena deal done in Seattle.

No words on whether Seattle plans to use the pay-out on KeyArena renovations or a new building or none of the above. Just before Pechman's decision had been expected, fans at SonicsCentral reported assistants with the mayor's office had asked callers whether an expansion or relocated team would be an acceptable resolution. We'll know more once both Bennett and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels hold 8 p.m. Eastern press conferences.

Two reports coming out now -- less than two hours before a federal judge is set to decide the fate of the Seattle SuperSonics -- indicate the city and the NBA team might have reached a settlement agreement. The mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels, has a press conference set for 5 p.m. Pacific, just 60 minutes after U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman is set to deliver her decision on the court's website.

Just after 2 p.m. Pacific, the Seattle Times got a city councilwoman to say "it looks like" there will be a settlement. This jives with comments from another member of the council, Richard McIver, who told The Oklahoman the sides had worked on reaching a deal while trying to work around former owner/Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's suit against Clay Bennett.

Why would the sides attempt to settle at this late stage? The Sonics obviously want assurance they can leave Seattle ASAP regardless of Pechman's ruling. Seattle might be looking for extra cash beyond the owed lease payments for 2008-09 and 2009-10, and possibly ownership of the 'SuperSonics' moniker and some concession from the league on exploring an expansion team. Both sides want to hedge their bets in case they lose.

UPDATE from FanHouse's Sean Hawkins in Seattle:

KJR AM is now saying they have confirmed it's a settlement. They are speculating that it's a big cash settlement, per an NBA western conference exec. Also, rumors are that no replacement team has been promised, but there could be a "wink-wink" situation brewing that there could be a replacement team in a year or two. [...] Both the mayor and Clay Bennett will have 5 p.m. Pacific new conferences happening at the same time.

UPDATE #2: The Seattle Times reports a settlement has been reached, and will be detailed at the mayor's 5 p.m. press conference.