Askew To Become Free Agent

Seattle reserve swingman Vincent Askew, who has fallen out of favor with Sonics coach George Karl, said he plans to exercise his option to become a free agent.

According to his contract, Askew must tell the Sonics his plans today, the third business day after the end of the season.

The season ended on Sunday when the Sonics lost the NBA Finals series to the Chicago Bulls, 4-2.

Askew was scheduled to make $2 million next season. In bypassing the option year of his three-year contract, which paid $1.8 million in 1995-96, he hopes to gain a larger contract and more playing time elsewhere.

After averaging 25 minutes during the regular season, Askew’s minutes averaged 19 during the postseason.

At the same time, his 8.5 scoring average, second-highest among reserves, fell to 3.7 and his shooting percentage dropped from 49 percent to 34 percent.

Payton’s agent talks tough

The agent for point guard Gary Payton said his feelings about the negotiating process with the Sonics have turned 180 degrees for the worse since earlier this season.

“Things have changed to make me view the situation in a whole different light,” said Aaron Goodwin. “The bottom line, because of my relationship with Gary, is making sure he gets the best possible contract for him and his family. If it’s in Seattle, that’s great. If not, he had a great career in Seattle.”

Sonics general manager Wally Walker, who plans formal talks with Goodwin on July 1, the day Payton and several of his teammates become free agents, pointed out that in Payton’s case, “the system made it hard.”

Walker said both sides discussed a contract extension in November of 1994, but on Nov.8, the NBA’s moratorium on extensions went into effect. When it ended, the lockout began. When that ended, the new collective bargaining agreement limited extensions to 20 percent of 1995-96 salaries, in Payton’s case, a total of $4.1 million.

As for concerns that the Sonics can’t afford to meet Payton’s demands, Goodwin said: “Whatever his market value is, they’re going to pay or he’ll play somewhere else next year.”

The Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in signing Payton.