Seattle SuperSonics 2005 Draft Preview

The Sonics defeated Sacramento in five games in the first round, but were eliminated in six contests by San Antonio in the conference semifinals.

Head coach Nate McMillan needs a new contract and All-Star guard Ray Allen, who led the club in scoring (23.9 ppg), can become an unrestricted free agent. Allen, who will be 30 on July 20th, want a long-term deal and close to the maximum money allowed.

Seattle other All-Star Rashard Lewis, who missed three of the six contests against the Spurs in the postseason because of a toe injury, averaged 20.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 71 regular-season games.

Point guard Luke Ridnour continued to improve in his second year in the league, as he played in all 82 regular-season contests and registered 10.0 points and a team-high 5.9 assists per game. Along with Ridnour, the Sonics also have athletic guard Antonio Daniels, center Jerome James, who was outstanding in the first round of the playoffs, sharp shooting Vladimir Radmanovic and physical forwards Nick Collison, Reggie Evans, and Danny Fortson.

The Sonics own the 25th overall selection of the draft, and will have to take the best player available on their board. If they aren’t going to invest in Allen, they will pick a shooter. Seattle may go the way of picking a project, or it may even entertain the possibility of dealing the pick.

Key Player(s): Ray Allen (Guard), Nick Collison (Forward), Antonio Daniels (Guard), Danny Fortson (Forward), Jerome James (Center), Rashard Lewis (Forward), Vladimir Radmanovic (Forward), Luke Ridnour (Guard).

Team Needs: Inside toughness, another scorer, a shot blocker and size up front.

Draft picks: 1st round (25th overall), 2nd round (48th overall), 2nd round (55th overall).