SEATTLE — The SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season as part of a settlement with the city of Seattle, ending a contentious relationship that resulted in a trial in which the judge was due to issue her ruling Wednesday.
The settlement calls for Sonics owner Clay Bennett and the Professional Basketball Club LLC to pay up to $75 million to the city in exchange for the immediate termination of the KeyArena lease between the NBA team and the city. The team’s name and colors will be staying in Seattle.
“We made it,” Bennett said after stepping to an Oklahoma City podium featuring the NBA logo and the letters OKC. “The NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season.”
Bennett announced that the settlement calls for a payment of $45 million immediately, and would include another $30 million paid to Seattle in 2013 if the state legislature in Washington authorizes at least $75 million in public funding to renovate KeyArena by the end of 2009 and Seattle doesn’t obtain an NBA franchise of its own within the next five years.
Welcome to the NBA, kid.
MIAMI — Michael Beasley’s first official practice with the Heat ended quickly.
Beasley was struck in the chest by an inadvertent elbow during a defensive drill about 45 minutes into Miami’s first summer league workout session, and the No. 2 overall pick in last week’s NBA draft was taken to a doctor for observation.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the move was strictly precautionary and should not affect Beasley’s availability for Miami’s five-games-in-five-days run through the Orlando summer league, which opens Monday.
“He took a shot to the chest,” Spoelstra said. “He probably could have finished if it was the regular season or something like that, but we just wanted to be safe.”
Miami also announced the signings of center David Padgett and guard Jason Richards.
Footnotes.
Josh Smith toured Philadelphia and visited the Wachovia Center with 76ers officials, who would like to woo the forward away from Atlanta with an offer sheet too expensive for the Hawks to match. As he’s a restricted free agent, the Hawks can match any offer made to Smith.
• Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) and rookie forward Bill Walker (knee) underwent surgeries. No timetable has been set for their return.
• The Mavericks and center DeSagana Diop agreed to a $31 million, five-year contract, and guard Eddie Jones exercised his $2 million option to return.
• The Nets signed their two first-round draft picks — Brook Lopez of Stanford (taken 10th overall) and Ryan Anderson of California (No. 21).
The Associated Press
