Feeling Drafty?

This guy went number one. Seriously.

As the Sonics prepare for the #25 pick in today's NBA Draft (yawn!), Supersonicsoul looks back at the best and worst in Sonics Draft History:

Best Pick: Gary Payton (1990)
Worst Pick: Rich King (1991)
Worst Traded Pick: Scottie Pippen (1987)
Where are they now?:Vladimir Stepania (1998)

What do you think? Do you have a favorite draft memory/nightmare? Do you think the Supes will make a trade (or fake a trade, like the Kemp for Pippen one in '98?)

One thing's for certain: The Sonics have had some up and down draft picks over the years, but at least they never drafted Sam Bowie.

Shocker! Union, Owners avoid lockout

In the most shocking turn of events since the Michael Jackson verdict, NBA owners and the Player's Union agreed to terms on a new six-year collective bargaining agreement today:

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- A one-year increase in the minimum age to be eligible to play in the NBA was part of a new six-year collective bargaining tentatively agreed to Tuesday by owners and players, averting the possibility of a lockout.

Commissioner David Stern and union director Billy Hunter flew to the NBA Finals from New York and announced the agreement prior to Game 6 between San Antonio and Detroit. The deal came on the fourth consecutive day of talks between the sides to replace the seven-year pact that expires June 30.

``We're gratified that we were able to avoid a work stoppage,'' Stern said. ``This agreement creates a strong partnership with our players, which is essential for us.''

The sides reached agreement on several key issues that had held up a settlement since serious talks began in late February. Among them were a one-year increase in the minimum age for draft eligibility, a reduction in the maximum length of long-term contracts from seven years to six, and reductions in the size of annual salary increases in those long-term contracts from a maximum of 12 1/2 percent to 10 1/2 percent.

Read the rest here.

Sund Signed Soon?

"No, I'm not Kevin Calabro's dad!"

According to today's Seattle P.I., Sonics GM Rick Sund is about to re-sign with the team. Does this mean Nate could be next?

General manager Rick Sund is just about done negotiating a new deal with the Sonics.

He's just not done negotiating for the Sonics.

Sund is expected to re-sign with the team this week for what is believed to be a three-year contract. It's the first agreement for the Sonics in a summer with a long to-do list. Eight players and head coach Nate McMillan are unsigned beyond next season, and teams can begin contacting free agents beginning July 1, barring a lockout.

When reached last night, Sund declined to comment on the situation other than to say, "I'm optimistic that something will get done in the next couple of days."

Read the rest here.