Sonics Swap With Nets, Unload Brick, Johnson

The Sonics said goodbye to three players Tuesday in an effort to say hello to a new one.

The Sonics traded Vincent Askew to New Jersey for guard Greg Graham and renounced the rights to free agents Frank Brickowski and Ervin Johnson to clear up cap room to sign another free agent, maybe Washington’s Jim McIlvaine.

The Sonics probably won’t sign Los Angeles Clippers forward Brian Williams, however, a player the Sonics had been interested in. Williams’ agent, Fred Slaughter, said Tuesday night that his client wanted at least $7.5 million a year and that he wasn’t sure the Sonics had that kind of salary cap room left.

“Maybe Jim McIlvaine is what they can afford,” Slaughter said, adding that Seattle was one of nine teams that made offers to Williams.

It’s likely, however, the Sonics will sign a free agent today before they officially announce the re-signing of Gary Payton to a seven-year, $85 million deal that has been agreed upon for several days. Then the Sonics will work on re-signing Hersey Hawkins, one of only two of their own free agents left, along with Steve Scheffler.

Along with clearing up salary cap room, the trade of Askew also solved a potential chemistry problem for the Sonics next season. The 6-foot-6 Askew complained about his lack of playing time during the Sonics’ run to the NBA Finals, and was also fined for missing a practice and a mandatory media session during the Finals.

Askew then stunned the Sonics after the season by kicking in his option to stay with the team for one more season at $2 million.

But the Sonics were able to dump Askew’s salary on New Jersey by taking a risk on Graham, a 6-4 guard who hasn’t lived up to his potential after being the 15th overall pick in the 1993 draft out of Indiana. Graham, 25, averaged 4.5 points in 53 games last season, shooting only 40 percent from the floor.

But Graham, who has three years left on his contract for a total of $4 million, has always been noted as a solid defender.

“In Greg Graham, we’re getting a versatile two-guard that fits in well with our style of play,” said Wally Walker, the Sonics’ president and general manager.

Askew, who is taking a cruise, was unavailable for comment. But agent Leigh Steinberg said Askew was hoping to return to Seattle. “But (the trade) is exciting from the standpoint that he may get much more playing time,” Steinberg said.

That the Sonics wouldn’t bring back Johnson seemed a foregone conclusion after he also complained about his lack of playing time during the NBA Finals. In fact, Johnson didn’t play in the final three games after starting and playing only 3 minutes in Game 3. Johnson was the team’s first-round choice in 1993 and started 60 games last season, although he averaged only 19 minutes per game.

Johnson made almost a million dollars last season in what was the final year of a three-year contract he signed his rookie season.

Brickowski, who turns 37 on Aug. 14, had hoped to return to Seattle, which acquired him from Sacramento for Sarunas Marciulionis and Byron Houston before last season began.

Brickowski, who made $2.7 million last year, averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds during the season, but had some key moments during the playoffs, most notably the crucial Game 3 victory at Sacramento, when he scored 12 points as the Sonics rallied to win.

“It is a difficult decision to renounce players whom you like and respect,” Walker said in a statement. “But they won’t have any trouble finding new NBA homes and we wish them the best.”

Brickowski’s agent, Steve Blick, said earlier this week that Brickowski had received significant interest from two teams, but that Brickowski might also retire.