
DRAFT PICKS:
Russell Westbrook, G, 6-3, UCLA -- Defensive-minded combo guard who the Sonics hope will develop into a defensive stopper. Serge Ibaka, F, 6-10, Republic of Congo -- Talented but unpolished front-court player who the team will keep in Europe and continue to develop. Pick acquired from Phoenix.
D.J. White, F, 6-9, Indiana -- A good rebounder who can shoot and play with his back to the basket. Gives the Sonics another scoring option inside. Acquired from Detroit by the Sonics trading their 32nd and 46th picks.
Devon Hardin, C, 6-11, California -- A long, athletic player who can block shots and potentially develop into a defensive presence inside for the Sonics.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Sonics are in the market for another big man to help fill the void in the middle and might be willing to use either power forward Chris Wilcox or point guard Luke Ridnour to help broker a deal. Wilcox was rumored to be involved in a potential draft-day deal with Miami that would have brought the Sonics the No. 2 overall pick and a chance to draft Michael Beasley. Wilcox is in the final season of a three-year contract that will pay him $6.75 million next season.
Ridnour could be the odd man out at point guard with Russell Westbrook now in the fold. Ridnour suffered through a rash of injuries last season and eventually lost the starting point guard job to Earl Watson. Ridnour will earn $6.5 million both this season and next season.
PLAYER NOTES:
--G Earl Watson had successful surgery in Los Angeles to repair a fracture in his right thumb. Watson suffered the injury while playing basketball in preparation for the 2008-09 season. Watson is expected to make a full recovery and should be healthy for the start of the team's 2008-09 season.
--Kevin Durant and Jeff Green were scheduled to head to Las Vegas after the Orlando Summer League concluded. Both players have been selected to compete on the USA Select team against the USA Olympic team to help them get ready for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.