Former SuperSonics and Trail Blazers executive Bob Whitsitt is among the many NBA figures who support having a team in Seattle again, writes Sam Yip of HoopsHype. In an upcoming book, Whitsitt looks back on his experiences in the city and contends that everything is already in place for a successful NBA franchise.
That includes Climate Pledge Arena, where the new team would be based. Whitsitt, who served as a consultant during remodeling work on the facility, said his job was to make sure it has everything the NBA would look for in a home arena. He says NBA executives have already made several trips to Climate Pledge, with another one coming at an October 10 preseason game, and the arena owners are willing make any modifications the league might request.
He also notes that the Sonics had strong support from their fans until the move to Oklahoma City, adding that Seattle residents are eager to get their team back.
“So all we need is the NBA to say they’re willing and wanting to expand, and I believe the Seattle market will be at the top of the list,” Whitsitt said. “It will be a phenomenal market. I believe the team will be super well-supported. Bringing the Sonics back is something that fans have wanted since 2008. I live in Seattle, I hear it every day, I’m asked the question every day. And all I can tell them is yes, I’m 100 percent all in and I’m gonna do everything I can, in a big way or even in a small way, whatever is required to help make that happen.”
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Ignas Brazdeikis has confirmed that he plans to join Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, according to a report from Eurohoops. He’s expected to sign a two-year deal, and Kaunas, where he played last season, will get a buyout worth 500K Euros. Brazdeikis, 24, had brief stops with the Knicks, Sixers and Magic during his time in the NBA.
- Former Kentucky guard Isaiah Briscoe has signed with Maroussi BC in Greece after playing in Italy last season, tweets Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog. The 27-year-old appeared in 39 games with the Magic during the 2018/19 season.
- Lachlan Olbrich of the Illawarra Hawks looked like the best NBA prospect during this week’s NBL Blitz in Australia, observes Olgun Uluc of ESPN. The 6’10” forward averaged 14.7 PPG and made 19 of his 22 shots from the field during the event. Uluc shares several highlights from the Blitz, including Matthew Dellavedova‘s return to Melbourne United, whom he played for in 2021/22.
Given that the NBA is overflowing with talent expansion needs to happen sooner rather then later…
We don’t have teams where young players can grow over a few years because that’s the expectation…
If they don’t show enough within 2 years they get shunted around or out of the league as every team is looking to kick start their rebuild within 4 years…
They are not talented as the players before them if they cannot play 82 games or even close to that along with no defense
The NBA per team talent pool at the meaningful talent levels has never been lower (at least since before ABA merger).
In terms of the superstar talent needed to contend (the most meaningful level for an expansion decision), it’s pathetic. It’s why tanking has become an acceptable FO operational model (to the comical point that tanking teams outnumber true contending teams), and only a small number of the teams in between have a reasonable hope that any of the young players on their current roster could transform them into a contender even over time.
It’s also incredibly low at the rotation level overall beyond the C spot, which together with changes in the way the game is played, has given every decent rotation player who isn’t a C incredibly high pricing power. The NBA way certainly supports a 3 tier league as well, but it starts and ends with with talent, or the lack of it.
In any event, expansion though should be a complete non-starter. If the owners want it for financial reasons, then they should at least be honest about what they’re doing – adding another team to the already crowded bottom tier.
Dellt was on Melbourne last season. It was not his debit.
It was two years ago that Dellavedova played for Melbourne, but I tweaked the wording to reflect that.