Ceis Not Testifying

Judge Pechman has ruled that Deputy Seattle Mayor Tim Ceis will not be allowed to be called as a rebuttal witness for the city.

Pechman decided Ceis, who ostensibly would rebut the argument that the city was involved in a "hand-in-glove" relationship with the efforts to force the PBC to sell the team, does not need to testify as he has already been deposed, and in that deposition he affirmed that he had not seen the "Poisoned Well" PowerPoint presentation.

In earlier testimony, the PBC called Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata, introduced two pieces of evidence, and, finally, rested their case. The city will wrap up its case today and then closing arguments will take place this afternoon.

While many will point to Pechman's denial of Ceis' testimony as a big loss for the city, I would argue that, as Pechman pointed out, Ceis already was deposed and spoke on this subject. While it would have been nice for Ceis to further illustrate this point, remember, this is not a jury trial. So long as the judge is aware of the situation, it is unnecessary for the city to go through histrionics to prove its point.

It's not a win for the city, true, but not a huge loss, either.

Trade Offer

According to Chad Ford at ESPN, the Clippers have offered their #7 pick and the rights to their pick next season for the Sonics' pick at #4.

Normally, I'd hesitate to trade down — the statistics bear out that once you get beyond the first five or so players, you're playing Russian Roulette — but since Sam Presti seems less than thrilled with his options at #4, it makes sense to make this move. The Sonics will walk away with someone they'll be happy with at #7, plus they'll get another lottery pick next year when the Clippers fall to 20-62 after Elton Brand breaks his back while attempting to carry [Insert Random Injured Clipper Here] back to the bench.

Random Draft Day Thoughts, Part I

• If Minnesota passes on OJ Mayo at #3 it will be a huge boon to the Sonics. After Rose and Beasley, Mayo has the most cache of anyone in the draft. Even if Presti wants no part of the SC guard, he’s the most tradeable commodity. The Sonics would easily be able to get a lottery pick in this year’s draft plus one in next year’s by dealing away Mayo. The upside is they’d still be able to get Lopez, Bayless, Westbrook, or whomever in the bargain ....
• My dream pick for the Sonics with their second pick of the first round would be Florida’s Marreese Speights, a 6’10” power forward who is plenty talented, but also plenty raw. A few weeks ago, Speights would have likely slipped to #24, but now it appears he’ll be selected long before the Sonics pick at #24. Assuming, of course, that Presti doesn’t deal away his #24 pick plus a second-rounder (or two) to move up in the draft.
• It’s early, but I’m guessing the Sonics walk away with no more than three actual warm bodies this year via the draft. Either that, or whatever number greater than three they draft, the overage will all be Euros/non-Americans who will not set foot in North America for the foreseeable future.
• Brian Robinson at sonicscentral.com can see Luke Ridnour being dealt today; I'd add Chris Wilcox to that mix, although I think Weezy's trade value will be higher next February.