Trade Ray-Ray? No way-way!

After trading Vlad the Rad-Man for Chris Wilcox earlier this week, the Sonics still have a glut of big, lunky power forwards on their roster. So their next logical move would be to unload some big men for a much-needed point guard, right? Not according to several "sources" around the league.

from the Chicago Tribune:

Team executives say the Sonics, having a miserable season, losing millions of dollars and almost out of the playoff race already have been active in trade talks for Flip Murray, Reggie Evans, Vitaly Potapenko and Danny Fortson. Executives say they haven't heard mention of Allen, though at least one added a "yet." The belief around the NBA is with Allen turning 31 this summer after just signing a long-term contract, young players like Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Luke Ridnour getting considerable playing time, the team going nowhere and the franchise in fragile financial condition (no one there wants to say that fast five times), it's inevitable they'll examine what they can get for Allen.
. . .
So here's a deal that could make sense for both teams. Gordon, Tim Thomas and Eric Piatkowski (the latter two with expiring contracts) and one of the Bulls' No. 1 picks for Allen, Nick Collison, whom the Bulls always have liked, and Fortson, whose $6.6 million contract next season the Sonics have been trying to dump.

And from the Chicago Sun Times:

Does five-time All-Star guard Ray Allen, who is averaging 24.8 points for the Seattle SuperSonics, make sense for the Bulls? He is said to be on the market.

So the question remains: What in the hell are they smoking in Chi-town, and where can I get some? Ben Gordon for Ray Allen? RAY ALLEN? I have not seen such masturbatory fanboy fantasies since . . . well, since reading our own comments ("Fortson and The Potato for Paul Pierce!").

Then again, when you look at who runs this team, anything is possible. I guess I'll approach the trading deadline the same way I do my taxes: drink heavily and hope for the best.

Goodbye Vladi, Hello Wilco

Vladimir Radmanovic was traded Tuesday night to the Clippers for Chris "Wilco" Wilcox. On behalf of everyone here at Supersonicsoul, I'd like to thank Vladi Doddi for his time in Seattle. We'll miss your rainbow threes and thunderous dunks. We will not miss your long cold stretches, creepy braids and incessant bitching.

More Stadia

I know I've been riding this horse particularly hard recently, but I thought this bit of back-and-forth from the Times' Bob Young worth reading:

"[Howard] Schultz has touted a Sonics' study, which shows the team adds more than $200 million to the local economy through spending by fans, players and the team.

"Seattle Center has hired economist Bill Beyers to check the Sonics' claim and conduct his own study. Beyers recently told the task force the Sonics' analysis overstated the team's impact and was 'not a good study.'

"Beyers is scheduled to present his report to Della's committee on Wednesday."

Count me among those curious to see what data Mr. Beyers produces. I'm guessing his figures will be slightly less than one Howard Schultz'.