New Sonics roll into town

The only certainty about the Sonics as Sunday's free agency period begins is that they are not a finished product. General manager Sam Presti is carefully adjusting his roster to match his goal of having a defensive-minded team that will provide matchup nightmares for opponents.

Two of the key pieces to Presti's long-term plan were introduced Friday at the Furtado Center. No. 2 overall draft pick Kevin Durant, sporting a baby blue suit, white Nikes and a bright smile, met with the Seattle media along with Washington, D.C.-area buddy Jeff Green, as the Sonics began the first day after the Ray Allen era in celebratory fashion.

One major message sent with the Allen deal was that Presti is prepared and eager to reshape the Sonics' roster. The deal was the first one he pulled off as the new Sonics general manager and the most significant since Allen was acquired for Gary Payton in February 2003.

In that deal, then-Seattle general manager Rick Sund sought to move an aging Payton, who wanted a lucrative extension, in exchange for a 27-year-old cornerstone nearing his prime. But Allen's presence in Seattle brought the Sonics just one playoff appearance in five seasons, and Presti felt it was time to bring in younger players and change the direction of the franchise.

Many heartbroken Sonics fans would argue that with Allen, a re-signed Rashard Lewis and Durant, the club could have made a playoff run next season and reinvigorated an impatient fan base that has been spoiled by the success of the Seahawks and the Mariners' surprising season.

Presti stands by his long-term building approach, even if that means sacrificing a postseason run for future growth.

"We don't want our championship to be the eighth seed," he said Thursday night. "We want to compete for championships and that takes steps and we aren't going to skip any."

There was a perception around the organization that anyone on the roster was available for the right deal and that has been verified with the Allen deal. But Presti drafted two small forwards Thursday to join Damien Wilkens, Mickael Gelabale and potentially Lewis, who is scheduled to meet with the team brass Sunday in Houston.

Presti has several roster issues to address this summer in what is expected to be a crossroads in Sonics history on and off the court.

He tried trading Luke Ridnour to the Atlanta Hawks for the 11th pick, but the deal fell through, as Atlanta GM Billy Knight preferred Texas A&M's Acie Law. So that obviously leaves Ridnour's spot tenuous, and the Sonics have longed for a floor leader since Payton's trade.

"The first step is getting the right players, and when you get the opportunity to get certain guys you have to get them," Presti said. "We have a lot of young players who have been in the league a long time and bring something to the table."

The point guard situation was murky the past two years under coaches Bob Weiss and Bob Hill, with Ridnour and Earl Watson each maddeningly inconsistent, and giving the Sonics no true manager on the court.

		Dan DeLong / P-I
	Wayne Pratt, Kevin Durant's father, checks out his son's jersey with Durant's mom, Wanda.

The club is in obvious need of a veteran who can handle the younger players, distribute the ball and hit an open shot. And look for Presti to seek a player with a free-agent contract or a trade to clear the backcourt, especially with the presence of combo guard Delonte West, obtained from the Celtics in the Allen trade.

Presti does have a liking for third guard Mike Wilks, who could return to the club on a one-year guaranteed contract to provide a veteran presence.

Meanwhile, the Sonics still own three centers, all 22 and under, including Robert Swift, who is coming off major knee surgery. Swift could be a piece in the team's future because he is a legitimate center who has vastly improved over two seasons.

Presti scouted Johan Petro during his days of international competition and is familiar with his game. The mystery player is second-year center Mouhamed Sene, who was considered a disappointment as a rookie and his potential remains unknown.

"It's obvious the true (centers) are a younger group," Presti said. "But I am excited. I think any team would like to have a stable of big guys like we have, especially with Robert, who we're anxious to see (healthy)."

Presti will do a great deal of evaluation at the Las Vegas summer league, which begins Friday. Sene, Petro, Gelabale, Durant and Green will comprise the roster.

"I think you have to look at people at the end of the summer," he said. "You have to look at the body of work. I am anxious to see how (Sene) responds. It's too early to say anything right now. We have to let them find themselves as players and then figure out what to do with those guys."

But as Allen said after being traded Thursday, the ties between the current players and new management are very limited, and every player will be scrutinized and evaluated for Presti's philosophy.

BREAKING DOWN THE SONICS' ROSTER

STARTING FIVE

Luke Ridnour -- Still part of the roster after a deal with Atlanta fell through but for how long? The Sonics will look to move Ridnour but are also open to keeping him

Rashard Lewis -- Sam Presti has been honest about everything in his three-plus weeks as the Sonics GM and there is no reason to believe he doesn't want Lewis to be the leader of the Sonics' resurgence.

Kevin Durant -- He will eventually become the focal point of the offense and Sonics fans will slowly push aside their bitter feelings about the Ray Allen trade the more they see him in action.

Jeff Green -- There is a comparison to Michael Jordan here. He may be a better pro than college player because of the system at Georgetown. Green will do all the dirty work and could become a Scottie Pippen type in coming years.

Chris Wilcox -- His role suddenly grew as Allen left and Lewis could leave. Is the 24-year-old Wilcox ready to become more consistent, play better defense and emerge as a big-time threat? He is going to have to.

BENCH

Earl Watson -- His defensive toughness and desire will make him a Presti favorite, but he is probably no better than a reserve if Presti has his wishes.

Johan Petro -- It's really unclear how he fits. Presti has been familiar with the Frenchman since his high school days, and there would be plenty of teams interested in a big man who can shoot from the perimeter and run the floor.

Damien Wilkens -- A 6-foot-6 swingman isn't exactly a need position anymore for the Sonics. With three years left on his deal, Wilkens may be tough to move, but he also plays defense and is an arduous worker.

Mickael Gelabale -- Another swingman who came into his own at the end of the season, his role will be determined at the end of the summer, when he basically auditions for Presti in summer league and workouts.

Robert Swift -- The wild card in the entire Sonics equation because young big men are rare and valuable. If Swift can show he's completely healthy after knee surgery and can show some toughness in the middle, he could join Durant and Green as part of the future.

Mouhamed Sene -- It's been speculated that Sene would be packaged in a deal because he is so far away from being able to contribute. But like Gelabale, Sene will show his skills in summer league.

Delonte West -- West is a tough player who brings a Philadelphia attitude to his play. He can play point guard or shooting guard and is a solid defender.

Wally Szczerbiak -- Owed $26 million over the next two seasons, the Sonics are going to get something out of him. He is not far from his days of averaging 17-plus points per game and he will come off the bench for scoring help.

Nick Collison -- Presti has praised Collison several times, and he may be the team's best interior defender. The Sonics will need Collison to run the floor, plug up pick-and-rolls and rebound. He is a keeper.