Cloudy Seattle future hangs over Allen

Allen wore the white uniform of the Western Conference All-Stars, a special-edition pair of Air Jordans and leaned back in his black leather chair surrounded by as many as 20 reporters.

On the two-year anniversary of his trade to Seattle, he was a star in his element, even as he looked to a future that remains cloudy because he is unsigned beyond this season.

"I still feel like a Sonic. I am a Sonic," he said. "But in the back of my mind, I could be anything come this time next year. Who knows?"

He was a member of the league's mutual admiration society during All-Star weekend, a time for the league's top players to rub shoulders and exchange praise.

"What's up, Stevie?" Allen asked as he saw Phoenix point guard Steve Nash walking to a table at the Westin hotel Friday. An hour later, Shaquille O'Neal placed his catcher's mitt of a hand on the back of Allen's head and gave a playful shake. Minutes later, Allen was in front of a television camera for another interview.

Allen was named an All-Star for the second time in his two years with the Sonics. But the success of this season contrasts the uncertainty of the future for Allen, and the team. He is averaging a career-high 23.9 points and is the only member of the West team unsigned beyond this season.

No one expects Allen to be dealt before this season's trade deadline, which is Thursday. But what happens after this season is the bigger question.

Negotiations for a new contract have remained cordial. All public discussions have been diplomatic. But there is also no sign a deal is any closer.

It was only this month that he sold his house in Milwaukee, completing a two-year transition process that could begin again this summer should he change addresses.

One conversation captured the contradictions almost perfectly. Before Wednesday's game against Golden State, Allen was asked if he was looking forward to the All-Star Game.

"To me, one of the best things walking into that locker room is we have one of the best records in the NBA," he said.

Compare that to what he said five minutes earlier, recounting a conversation with league executive Stu Jackson.

"We were talking about the 3-point contest," Allen recalled. "And I said, 'Have you ever had a guy make the All-Star team and then get traded ... to the other conference? What would you do?'"

Two years ago, the Sonics had an All-Star guard in a similar situation, playing in the final year of a contract. Only this time it's not Gary Payton, but rather the player for which he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Owner Howard Schultz said in October that any comparisons between Allen's situation and Payton's two years ago were off base.

"I wouldn't in any way link the Gary Payton situation with Ray Allen," Schultz said. "I think that would be a far-fetched, fictional story."

There are differences. Allen turned 30 this summer, and Payton was 34 at the time he was traded. The Sonics told Payton in the summer that his contract would not be extended. They have been discussing an extension with Allen and his agent, Lon Babby, who was in Denver this weekend.

And then there's the team. Seattle was 21-27 at the All-Star break in 2003. This year, the Sonics are 35-15, their most victories at the All-Star break since 1998.

"I've had some of the most fun I've had in my playing career," Allen said. "I think that chemistry that we've had has translated to us being successful."

Allen said before the season that it was realistic for him to receive a raise in his next contract. The team is more inclined to make his current salary the average payout for the five years of the extension with an eye toward the reality that most All-Star guards in the league experience a sharp decline in productivity in their mid-30s.

It's believed the team's offer remains largely unchanged from this summer. General manager Rick Sund would not comment on any aspect of the negotiations.

"I think the (All-Star) break will do good for both sides," he said. "I think we'll have time to come back and say, 'This is what we need to do.'"

But has anything happened recently that prompted Allen to believe there will be movement by the team toward a compromise?

"I'd rather not say," Allen said. "Until that time happens, then I can say, 'This is what we have, and this is where we're going moving forward.' But to speculate on it, no, because it could go either way any time."

This summer, the number of teams with significant salary-cap space will be few. The Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks all will have wheelbarrows of cash. Teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers could have some room, but unlikely enough to outbid the Sonics.

There had been concerns Allen would ask to be traded to a team that would be willing to sign him to a higher contract this summer. If a team over the salary cap traded for Allen right now, that team could exceed the cap to re-sign him this summer.

For Allen to join a team over the salary cap this summer, a sign-and-trade arrangement would have to be worked out. That means the Sonics would have to agree to the deal.

"It has been a possibility, just thinking about it," Allen said. "But a lot will be determined by what the collective-bargaining agreement will state over the summer."

It's not nearly as simple as in 1999, when Allen negotiated a contract extension without the use of an agent. Allen was younger then, just entering his prime. The deal was a no-brainer that was sealed with a handshake and a signature.

Then the Bucks sent Allen to the Sonics.

"I just felt bad, because I always thought I was going to end my career there," he said.

Now the question is whether Seattle will be Allen's final stop. He has made his preference for that clear, but an extension remains unsigned and his future uncertain.

P-I reporter Danny O'Neil can be reached at 206-448-8209 or dannyo'neil@seattlepi.com

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