2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics season explained

Team:Seattle SuperSonics
End Year:2008
Wins:20
Losses:62
Division:Northwest
Division Place:5
Conf Place:15
Coach:P. J. Carlesimo
Gm:Sam Presti
Owners:Clay Bennett
Arena:KeyArena at Seattle Center
Playoffs:Did not qualify
Bbr Team:SEA
Television:
Radio:KPTK
Next Name:Oklahoma City Thunder

The 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 41st and final season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the franchise's final season of play in Seattle before relocating to Oklahoma City to play as the Thunder. With the hiring of new head coach P. J. Carlesimo as replacement of Bob Hill, who was fired at the end of the previous season,[1] the SuperSonics finished in 15th and last place in the Western Conference with a franchise worst 20–62 record. Seattle's first round draft pick and number two overall Kevin Durant was chosen as the Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

As of 2023, the only remaining Sonics in the NBA are Jeff Green of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, after Nick Collison retired in 2018. Collison was also the last remaining player on the Thunder roster who previously played for the Sonics team, with Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka being drafted under the SuperSonics name in 2008 before moving to Oklahoma City. Until 2019, Mark Bryant was also the last Sonics coach to remain with the franchise on the Thunder roster. General manager Sam Presti is currently the last remaining Sonics staff member to remain with the franchise on the Thunder roster as of 2020.

Offseason

Following Bob Hill and Rick Sund's departures as head coach and general manager respectively, President of Basketball Operations Lenny Wilkens was charged with the responsibility of finding replacements.[2] For the general manager position, Wilkens hired Sam Presti[3] and months later P. J. Carlesimo was appointed as head coach of the Sonics.[4] Wilkens quit a day later.[5] Presti's first order of business involved a trade with the Boston Celtics on draft day that sent Ray Allen and the SuperSonics' second round pick Glen Davis to Boston in exchange for the Celtics' first round pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.[6] Weeks later the free agent period began, and the SuperSonics' front office needed to reach a decision regarding Rashard Lewis' future, since Lewis opted out of his final two years and became one of the most prized free agents in the offseason.[7] The team finally agreed to a sign and trade deal with the Orlando Magic.[8] The other trade the Sonics made during the offseason brought 12-year veteran Kurt Thomas from the Phoenix Suns.[9]

The SuperSonics began preparations for the regular season on July 7, kicking off Summer League games in Las Vegas.[10] The team finished with a 2–6 overall record, with rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green leading the team in scoring in the majority of the matches.[11] [12]

Draft picks

At the 2007 Draft Lottery the SuperSonics got the second overall pick behind the Portland Trail Blazers,[13] matching their highest overall selection in franchise history.[14] With their first round pick the SuperSonics selected Kevin Durant from Texas and forwards Carl Landry and Glen Davis in the second round. Davis and Landry were traded on draft day to the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets[15] respectively.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege/Team
12Kevin DurantSFTexas
232Carl LandryPFPurdue
235Glen Davis (traded to Boston)PFLSU

Pre-season

The SuperSonics kicked off a ten-game pre-season on October 9, with a 98–104 loss visiting the Sacramento Kings. Following a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their next match three days later, the SuperSonics went on a 5-game losing streak before closing the exhibition tour with a victory against the Phoenix Suns in Vancouver, Canada.

Game log

|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 9| @ Sacramento| | Damien Wilkins (18)| Nick Collison (9)| Delonte West (6)| ARCO Arena
13,284| 0–1|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2| October 12| @ Cleveland| | Chris Wilcox (20)| Nick Collison (11)| Earl Watson (6)| Quicken Loans Arena
15,878| 1–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 3| October 13| @ Indiana| | Kevin Durant (21)| Mouhamed Sene (15)| Four players (4)| Conseco Fieldhouse
10,796| 1–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 18| @ L. A. Lakers| | Kevin Durant (19)| Robert Swift (8)| Luke Ridnour (8)| Bakersfield, California
6,016| 1–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 5| October 20| Houston| | Kevin Durant (25)| Kurt Thomas (12)| Delonte West (7)| KeyArena
10,854| 1–4|- style="background:#fcc;"| 6| October 23| Golden State| | Damien Wilkins (27)| Chris Wilcox (12)| Earl Watson (14)| KeyArena
9,861| 1–5|- style="background:#fcc;"| 7| October 24| @ Portland| | Nick Collison (17)| Chris Wilcox (7)| Luke Ridnour (8)| Rose Garden
11,342| 1–6|- style="background:#cfc;"| 8| October 26| Phoenix| | Chris Wilcox (27)| Nick Collison (11)| Delonte West (9)| General Motors Place
17,704| 2–6

Regular season

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green's regular season debuts were in doubt, since each player had to deal with sprained ankle injuries during the pre-season.[16] Durant managed to return in time for the season opener on Halloween night, scoring 18 points in a loss against the Denver Nuggets.[17] After their home opener (a loss against the Phoenix Suns), chances for the team to remain in Seattle took a heavy blow, as Sonics' owner Clay Bennett made public his desire to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.[18] The SuperSonics remained on a losing streak that reached 8 games,[19] their worst start in franchise history,[20] and remained the only team in the league without a win before defeating the Miami Heat, followed by a Durant game-winner two days later to get past the Atlanta Hawks.[21] The SuperSonics finished the month of November snapping a 6-game losing streak[19] with their first home victory in a game against the Indiana Pacers, with Durant scoring a career-high 35 points.[22] Before the win against the Pacers, the Sonics where 0–7 at home.[19]

The Sonics registered their best record of the season in December,[19] struggling with injuries to Luke Ridnour, Delonte West and Kurt Thomas adding to the absence of center Robert Swift.[23] [24] Kevin Durant matched again his career-high 35 points in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks,[25] one of their four victories at home that month. After a 2–3 road trip that ended with a loss against the Utah Jazz in which the Sonics were held to one of their lowest scoring outputs in the season,[19] the team returned to the KeyArena to close the year with a 5-game homestand.

After a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers in the last game of 2007, the Sonics went on their longest losing streak of the season,[19] dropping their first 13 games of January in a combined franchise worst 14-game losing streak.[26] During the first games of the month, the team were without the services of their second best scorer Chris Wilcox[27] and point guard Luke Ridnour, who were sidelined with injuries.[28] The Sonics halted the streak by defeating the defending champions San Antonio Spurs and proceeded to win their next two games at home.

After managing to win only 2 of their 16 games in January, the SuperSonics finished February with a 4–8 record and snapped an 8-game losing streak of road games with a victory against the Sacramento Kings, obtaining their first road win since mid-December.[19] Robert Swift returned from his injuries and played his first game since November 11 in a loss against the Chicago Bulls,[29] but would be sidelined for the remainder of the season after two more appearances.[30] The SuperSonics reached the All-Star break with a 13–38 record,[19] 10 games behind their worst record in franchise history at the time.[31] Rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green participated in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge against the second-year players.[32] Near the trade deadline, the Sonics sent Kurt Thomas to the San Antonio Spurs for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson and a 2009 second round draft pick.[33] Barry was waived the next day.[34] The Sonics made one more move before the deadline, that sent Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls.[35]

The Sonics finished the month of March with their worse record in the regular season, winning only two games, with losing streaks of 11 and 3 games.[19] At this point the Sonics had a 17–57 record and were six games away from their franchise worst 23–59. On March 16, the Denver Nuggets dealt the Sonics their worst loss in franchise history,[36] with a 116–168 score. It was the most points the Nuggets' scored since a January 11, 1984, game against the San Antonio Spurs.[37] Nearing the end of the month, injuries plagued the roster. Mickaël Gelabale tore his ACL during a practice and was out for the remainder of the season.[38] Chris Wilcox re-injured his pinky finger, an injury that ultimately made him miss the remainder of the season,[39] and Nick Collison and Francisco Elson were also sidelined with other injuries.[40]

In April, the Sonics stretched their March losing streak to five games before winning in a double overtime match against the Denver Nuggets. After losing another three straight games, the Sonics played their last home game in Seattle, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 99–95 and closing the regular season with a road victory against the Golden State Warriors. The SuperSonics finished the season with a 20–62 overall record, their worst in franchise history.

Record vs. opponents

2007-08 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta– 0–3 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 0–2 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–2 1–1 2–2
Boston3–0 – 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–3
Charlotte2–2 1–3 – 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–2 1–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–3
Chicago2–2 0–4 3–1 – 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 3–1 1–1 1–2 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–2
Cleveland2–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 – 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–2
Dallas1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 – 1–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–2
Denver1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 – 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–3 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–3 2–0
Detroit4–0 1–2 3–0 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 0–2 2–1
Golden State1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2 – 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 0–3 2–0
Houston2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 – 2–0 3–0 2–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–1 1–2 2–0
Indiana2–1 0–3 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–2 3–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–2
L.A. Clippers1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–3 1–1 – 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–3 3–1 0–3 2–1 1–1 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 2–0 4–0 – 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–0
Memphis0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–2 – 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–3 1–1
Miami1–3 0–4 1–3 1–2 0–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–4
Milwaukee2–2 0–4 2–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 – 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 2–2
Minnesota0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–3 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–3 1–1 3–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 – 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 2–2 0–2
New Jersey3–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–1 4–0 1–1 – 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–1
New Orleans2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–2 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–3 0–2
New York0–4 0–4 2–1 2–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 – 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–1
Orlando2–2 2–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 – 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 0–2 3–1
Philadelphia1–3 1–3 2–1 3–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 0–3 2–0 0–2 2–0 3–0 2–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–2
Phoenix1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–4 2–0 2–0 1–1 – 3–0 4–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–2 2–0
Portland2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 3–0 2–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–3 – 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–1
Sacramento1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–2 1–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–4 3–1 – 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–2
San Antonio2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–0 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–0 3–1 – 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–0
Seattle1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–2 0–4 1–1 1–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–3 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–2 – 1–1 0–4 0–2
Toronto2–1 1–3 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 0–2 1–3
Utah1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–0 2–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 3–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 – 2–0
Washington2–2 3–0 3–1 2–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–2 2–0 1–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 3–1 0–2 —

Game log

|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 1| October 31| @ Denver| | Damien Wilkins (21)| Nick Collison (11)| Earl Watson (7)| Pepsi Center
19,380| 0–1|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 2| November 1| Phoenix| | Kevin Durant (27)| Chris Wilcox (11)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
17,072| 0–2|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 3| November 4| @ L. A. Clippers| | Kevin Durant (24)| Nick Collison (10)| Damien Wilkins (6)| Staples Center
17,376| 0–3|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 4| November 6| @ Sacramento| | Wally Szczerbiak (32)| Chris Wilcox (10)| Earl Watson (8)| ARCO Arena
14,908| 0–4|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 5| November 7| Memphis| | Chris Wilcox (21)| Chris Wilcox
Nick Collison
(8)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
10,761| 0–5|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 6| November 9| Utah| | Kevin Durant (20)| Nick Collison (12)| Earl Watson (11)| KeyArena
15,980| 0–6|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 7| November 11| Detroit| | Kevin Durant (19)| Chris Wilcox (9)| Luke Ridnour (7)| KeyArena
16,379| 0–7|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 8| November 13| @ Orlando| | Nick Collison (15)| Jeff Green (7)| Delonte West
Earl Watson
(4)| Amway Arena
16,101| 0–8|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 9| November 14| @ Miami| | Chris Wilcox (20)| Nick Collison (11)| Delonte West
Earl Watson
(6)| American Airlines Arena
19,600| 1–8|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 10| November 16| @ Atlanta| | Damien Wilkins (41)| Nick Collison (14)| Earl Watson (9)| Philips Arena
13,534| 2–8|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 11| November 17| @ Charlotte| | Chris Wilcox (24)| Chris Wilcox (9)| Earl Watson (5)| Charlotte Bobcats Arena
13,697| 2–9|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 12| November 19| @ Memphis| | Delonte West (17)| Jeff Green (14)| Damien Wilkins (6)| FedExForum
10,863| 2–10|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 13| November 23| New Jersey| | Delonte West (17)| Jeff Green (14)| Kurt Thomas
Earl Watson
Nick Collison
(3)| KeyArena
14,424| 2–11|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 14| November 25| San Antonio| | Wally Szczerbiak (27)| Kurt Thomas (7)| Delonte West (5)| KeyArena
14,186| 2–12|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 15| November 27| @ L. A. Lakers| | Kevin Durant (25)| Kurt Thomas (13)| Earl Watson (6)| Staples Center
18,997| 2–13|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 16| November 28| Orlando| | Kevin Durant (22)| Kurt Thomas (14)| Kevin Durant
Earl Watson
(4)| KeyArena
12,398| 2–14|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 17| November 30| Indiana| | Kevin Durant (35)| Kurt Thomas (18)| Earl Watson (11)| KeyArena
14,786| 3–14

|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 18| December 2| Golden State| | Chris Wilcox
Earl Watson
(16)| Chris Wilcox (11)| Earl Watson (5)| KeyArena
11,461| 3–15|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 19| December 5| L. A. Clippers| | Nick Collison (18)| Nick Collison (17)| Earl Watson (6)| KeyArena
10,961| 4–15|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 20| December 7| Milwaukee| | Kevin Durant (35)| Chris Wilcox (13)| Earl Watson (9)| KeyArena
13,142| 5–15|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 21| December 9| @ New Orleans| | Kevin Durant (23)| Nick Collison
Chris Wilcox
(12)| Earl Watson (8)| New Orleans Arena
10,773| 5–16|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 22| December 11| @ Chicago| | Kevin Durant (16)| Jeff Green (6)| Earl Watson (6)| United Center
21,772| 5–17|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 23| December 12| @ New York| | Kevin Durant (30)| Kurt Thomas (8)| Kevin Durant
Earl Watson
(4)| Madison Square Garden
17,637| 6–17|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 24| December 14| @ Minnesota| | Chris Wilcox (19)| Chris Wilcox (11)| Earl Watson (8)| Target Center
16,523| 7–17|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 25| December 15| @ Utah| | Wally Szczerbiak (24)| Nick Collison (9)| Earl Watson (5)| EnergySolutions Arena
19,911| 7–18|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 26| December 19| New Orleans| | Kevin Durant (18)| Nick Collison (9)| Kevin Durant
Jeff Green
(5)| KeyArena
11,968| 7–19|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 27| December 21| Toronto| | Kevin Durant (27)| Nick Collison (10)| Earl Watson (7)| KeyArena
13,661| 8–19|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 28| December 25| @ Portland| | Kevin Durant (23)| Nick Collison (14)| Earl Watson (11)| Rose Garden
20,527| 8–20|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 29| December 27| Boston| | Kevin Durant (25)| Kurt Thomas (14)| Delonte West (8)| KeyArena
17,072| 8–21|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 30| December 29| Minnesota| | Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
(18)| Kurt Thomas (15)| Delonte West (7)| KeyArena
14,038| 9–21|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 31| December 31| Philadelphia| | Earl Watson (18)| Kurt Thomas (13)| Earl Watson (7)| KeyArena
10,595| 9–22

|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 32| January 3| @ Phoenix| | Kevin Durant (28)| Nick Collison (15)| Earl Watson (8)| US Airways Center
18,422| 9–23|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 33| January 6| @ Washington| | Kevin Durant (19)| Nick Collison (17)| Kurt Thomas
Delonte West
(4)| Verizon Center
17,816| 9–24|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 34| January 8| @ Cleveland| | Kevin Durant (24)| Nick Collison (14)| Earl Watson (6)| Quicken Loans Arena
20,409| 9–25|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 35| January 9| @ New Jersey| | Johan Petro (22)| Nick Collison (13)| Delonte West (5)| Izod Center
14,101| 9–26|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 36| January 11| Dallas| | Wally Szczerbiak (17)| Kurt Thomas (15)| Kevin Durant (6)| KeyArena
12,522| 9–27|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 37| January 14| L. A. Lakers| | Nick Collison (24)| Nick Collison (18)| Luke Ridnour (11)| KeyArena
13,452| 9–28|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 38| January 16| @ New Orleans| | Kevin Durant (20)| Kevin Durant
Johan Petro
(7)| Earl Watson (11)| New Orleans Arena
9,882| 9–29|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 39| January 18| @ Memphis| | Kevin Durant (22)| Kurt Thomas (8)| Earl Watson (8)| FedExForum
13,451| 9–30|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 40| January 19| @ Dallas| | Wally Szczerbiak (26)| Nick Collison (12)| Earl Watson (6)| American Airlines Center
20,386| 9–31|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 41| January 21| @ Houston| | Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
(15)| Kurt Thomas (11)| Earl Watson (9)| Toyota Center
15,264| 9–32|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 42| January 23| Houston| | Kevin Durant (25)| Nick Collison (14)| Luke Ridnour (8)| KeyArena
12,342| 9–33|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 43| January 25| Atlanta| | Chris Wilcox (18)| Chris Wilcox (7)| Luke Ridnour (4)| KeyArena
13,647| 9–34|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 44| January 27| Sacramento| | Kevin Durant (19)| Kurt Thomas (10)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
13,409| 9–35|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 45| January 29| San Antonio| | Kevin Durant (26)| Nick Collison
Chris Wilcox
(10)| Kevin Durant
Luke Ridnour
(5)| KeyArena
13,295| 10–35|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 46| January 31| Cleveland| | Kevin Durant (24)| Chris Wilcox (13)| Earl Watson (12)| KeyArena
13,109| 11–35

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 47| February 2| New York| | Kevin Durant (21)| Nick Collison (12)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
12,783| 12–35|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 48| February 4| Chicago| | Wally Szczerbiak (21)| Nick Collison (9)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
10,935| 12–36|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 49| February 6| @ Sacramento| | Earl Watson (23)| Earl Watson
Chris Wilcox (10)| Earl Watson (10)| ARCO Arena
13,136| 13–36|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 50| February 8| @ Phoenix| | Chris Wilcox (22)| Chris Wilcox (15)| Earl Watson (5)| US Airways Center
18,422| 13–37|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 51| February 13| Utah| | Kevin Durant (19)| Kurt Thomas (13)| Earl Watson (14)| KeyArena
10,618| 13–38|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 52| February 19| Memphis| | Earl Watson (26)| Nick Collison
Jeff Green (9)| Earl Watson (9)| KeyArena
11,391| 14–38|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 53| February 21| @ Portland| | Kevin Durant (20)| Nick Collison (14)| Earl Watson (9)| Rose Garden
20,168| 14–39|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 54| February 22| Portland| | Kevin Durant (17)| Jeff Green (9)| Earl Watson (4)| KeyArena
16,640| 15–39|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 55| February 24| L. A. Lakers| | Mickaël Gelabale (21)| Johan Petro (10)| Earl Watson (8)| KeyArena
17,072| 15–40|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 56| February 26| @ Golden State| | Kevin Durant
Jeff Green (21)| Nick Collison (13)| Luke Ridnour (15)| Oracle Arena
19,412| 15–41|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 57| February 27| Denver| | Kevin Durant
Mickaël Gelabale (16)| Johan Petro (8)| Mickaël Gelabale (6)| KeyArena
13,627| 15–42|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 58| February 29| Miami| | Chris Wilcox (30)| Nick Collison
Jeff Green (11)| Luke Ridnour (5)| KeyArena
12,542| 15–43

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 59| March 2| @ Minnesota| | Kevin Durant (25)| Chris Wilcox (15)| Earl Watson (9)| Target Center
11,508| 16–43|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 60| March 4| @ Detroit| | Earl Watson (23)| Johan Petro
Chris Wilcox (10)| Earl Watson (7)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 16–44|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 61| March 5| @ Milwaukee| | Kevin Durant (23)| Johan Petro (15)| Earl Watson (8)| Bradley Center
15,010| 16–45|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 62| March 7| @ Philadelphia| | Chris Wilcox (20)| Nick Collison
Johan Petro (5)| Earl Watson (5)| Wachovia Center
17,762| 16–46|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 63| March 9| @ Toronto| | Chris Wilcox (28)| Chris Wilcox (10)| Luke Ridnour (9)| KeyArena
19,800| 16–47|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 64| March 11| @ Indiana| | Kevin Durant (27)| Nick Collison (8)| Luke Ridnour (8)| Conseco Fieldhouse
11,216| 16–48|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 65| March 12| @ Boston| | Kevin Durant (16)| Johan Petro (10)| Earl Watson (7)| TD Banknorth Garden
18,624| 16–49|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 66| March 14| Minnesota| | Kevin Durant (24)| Nick Collison (8)| Earl Watson (10)| KeyArena
14,035| 16–50|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 67| March 16| @ Denver| | Kevin Durant (23)| Chris Wilcox (12)| Earl Watson (7)| Pepsi Center
19,155| 16–51|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 68| March 19| Phoenix| | Jeff Green (19)| Nick Collison (12)| Four players (3)| KeyArena
17,072| 16–52|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 69| March 21| @ L. A. Lakers| | Kevin Durant
Earl Watson (20)| Johan Petro (11)| Earl Watson (7)| Staples Center
18,997| 16–53|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 70| March 22| @ Utah| | Kevin Durant
Jeff Green (23)| Nick Collison (13)| Earl Watson (5)| EnergySolutions Arena
19,911| 16–54|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 71| March 24| Portland| | Kevin Durant (23)| Nick Collison (11)| Luke Ridnour (9)| KeyArena
11,292| 17–54|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 72| March 26| Washington| | Kevin Durant (32)| Nick Collison (21)| Earl Watson (6)| KeyArena
10,497| 17–55|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 73| March 28| Charlotte| | Kevin Durant (18)| Nick Collison (10)| Earl Watson (6)| KeyArena
13,592| 17–56|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 74| March 30| Sacramento| | Kevin Durant (25)| Nick Collison (8)| Earl Watson (12)| KeyArena
10,862| 17–57

|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 75| April 2| L. A. Clippers| | Kevin Durant (30)| Nick Collison (17)| Luke Ridnour (6)| KeyArena
10,392| 17–58|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 76| April 4| Houston| | Nick Collison (15)| Johan Petro (15)| Three players (4)| KeyArena
14,170| 17–59|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 77| April 6| Denver| | Kevin Durant (37)| Nick Collison (14)| Earl Watson (11)| KeyArena
13,104| 18–59|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 78| April 8| @ Dallas| | Earl Watson (22)| Jeff Green (8)| Earl Watson (8)| American Airlines Center
20,228| 18–60|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 79| April 9| @ Houston| | Kevin Durant (26)| Nick Collison (15)| Earl Watson (8)| Toyota Center
18,370| 18–61|- bgcolor=#ffcccc| 80| April 11| @ San Antonio| | Kevin Durant (20)| Nick Collison (14)| Luke Ridnour (4)| AT&T Center
18,797| 18–62|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 81| April 13| Dallas| | Earl Watson (21)| Nick Collison (11)| Earl Watson (10)| KeyArena
16,272| 19–62|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 82| April 16| @ Golden State| | Kevin Durant (42)| Nick Collison
Kevin Durant (13)| Earl Watson (12)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 20–62

Relocation to Oklahoma City

See main article: Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City.

On September 21, 2007, majority owner Clay Bennett applied for arbitration by a federal judge on the issue of whether the team could break its lease on the KeyArena in 2008.[41] Bennett initially set a deadline for October 31, 2007, for the City of Seattle to reach an agreement regarding a new facility,[42] and two days past that date Bennett informed the NBA commissioner David Stern of his intentions to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.[18] Seattle had filed a lawsuit on September 23, 2007, in an attempt to keep the Sonics from leaving before the end of their lease in 2010.[43]

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a new offer on a KeyArena expansion on March. Ballmer proposed to pay half of the US$300 million required for the expansion and set an April 10, 2008, deadline for the City of Seattle to accept the offer.[44] After the deal fell through, all hopes rested on the lawsuit set for June 2008.[45]

On April 18, 2008, the NBA Board of Governors approved the team's relocation to Oklahoma City by a 28–2 vote. Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Paul Allen of the Portland Trail Blazers were the only ones against the move.[46] On July 2, 2008, the City of Seattle and the Sonics' ownership reached a settlement that allowed the franchise to move to Oklahoma City.[47] According to the settlement, Bennett and his group would pay $45 million immediately to the City to break the KeyArena lease, then an additional $30 million if Seattle failed to get a new team within five years. In addition, items associated with the SuperSonics' history in Seattle, including trophies, banners, and retired jerseys, stayed in the city and were placed in the Museum of History and Industry.[48]

Player statistics

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
78 35 28.5 .502 .000 .737 9.4 1.4 .6 0.8 9.8
4 0 4.5 .333 1.000 2.0 .3 .3 .0 1.0
80 80 34.6 .430 .288 .873 4.4 2.4 1.0 .9 20.3
22 2 12.7 .341 .000 .462 3.0 .4 .3 .3 3.0
39 0 11.9 .439 .432 .778 1.5 .8 .3 .2 4.3
1 0 5.0 .000 .000 .0 1.0 .0 .0 .0
80 52 28.2 .427 .276 .744 4.7 1.5 .6 .6 10.5
13 0 6.5 .375 1.000 1.7 .4 .4 .1 1.1
15 0 12.3 .352 .233 .923 3.1 .3 .3 .5 3.8
2 0 8.5 .286 .000 .0 .5 .0 .0 2.0
72 28 18.2 .419 .000 .736 5.1 .4 .5 .6 6.0
61 5 20.0 .399 .296 .857 1.5 4.0 .6 .2 6.4
13 0 4.8 .458 .471 1.2 .1 .0 .5 2.3
8 4 12.3 .353 1.000 2.3 .1 .6 .8 1.8
50 1 23.6 .460 .428 .843 2.7 1.4 .3 .1 13.1
42 39 25.2 .513 .696 8.8 1.3 .8 1.0 7.5
78 73 29.1 .454 .371 .766 2.9 6.8 .9 .1 10.7
35 5 20.8 .388 .339 .667 2.7 3.2 .9 .3 6.8
62 55 28.0 .524 .000 .645 7.0 1.2 .7 .6 13.4
76 31 24.3 .403 .323 .736 3.2 2.0 .8 .3 9.2
3 0 7.3 .556 .000 1.000 .3 1.7 .3 .0 4.0

Awards

Injuries

Transactions

Overview

Players Added
Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

Players Lost
Via trade

Trades

June 28, 2007To Seattle SuperSonics
Jeff Green
Wally Szczerbiak
Delonte West		To Boston Celtics
Ray Allen
Glen Davis
July 11, 2007
To Seattle SuperSonics
2009 second round pick		To Orlando Magic
Rashard Lewis
July 20, 2007To Seattle SuperSonics
Kurt Thomas
2008 and 2010 first round selections		To Phoenix Suns
2009 second round selection
February 21, 2008To Cleveland Cavaliers
Wally Szczerbiak
Delonte West

See also

Notes and References

  1. Associated Press (April 25, 2007). SuperSonics fire Hill as coach, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. Associated Press (April 28, 2007). Team president Wilkens charged with hiring new coach, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  3. Bell, Gregg. Associated Press (June 7, 2007). Sonics hire Sam Presti as new GM, USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  4. Associated Press (July 3, 2007). Report: Spurs assistant Carlesimo to be named Sonics coach, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  5. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nba-wilken-idUSN0617809620070707 Wilkens quits as vice chairman of Seattle SuperSonics
  6. Stringer, Peter. Playing Chips, Ainge Swings Deal for Allen . Celtics.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  7. ESPN.com news services (July 1, 2007). Sonics management talks about team's future with Lewis, agent, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  8. DuPree, David (July 12, 2007). Magic, Pistons score big as free-agent signings start, USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  9. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nba-thomas-idUSN2029075520070720 Seattle acquires Thomas, draft picks, from Phoenix
  10. Beck, Howard.Two Heralded Rookies Get First Taste of N.B.A. Basketball, The New York Times, July 8, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  11. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=vegassummerleagueschedule 2007 Vegas Summer League Schedule
  12. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=utahsummerleagueschedule 2007 Rocky Mountain Revue Schedule
  13. Associated Press (May 21, 2007). Blazers nab top spot in the draft, The Argus-Press. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  14. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/draft.html Oklahoma City Thunder Draft Picks
  15. Associated Press (June 29, 2007). Rockets draft Oregon's Brooks; pick up Landry in trade, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  16. Associated Press (October 27, 2007). Durant questionable for Sonics' opener; Green sprains left ankle, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  17. Graham, Pat. Associated Press. Nuggets bottle up Durant, beat Sonics, USA Today, November 1, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  18. Associated Press (November 3, 2007). Owner seeks NBA approval to move Sonics to Oklahoma, USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  19. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2008_games.html 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results
  20. Associated Press (November 14, 2007). Magic Throttle Sonics, Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  21. Associated Press (November 16, 2007). Wilkins scores 41, but Durant's 3-pointer clinches Sonics' double-OT win, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  22. Associated Press (November 30, 2007). Durant scores career-high 35 to lead Sonics over Pacers, 95–93, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  23. Stevens, Jayda. Still Mending, December 10, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  24. Allen, Percy Swift at a standstill, The Seattle Times, December 23, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  25. Associated Press (December 7, 2007). Durant scores 35 as Sonics beat Bucks, 104–98, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  26. Booth, Tim. Associated Press (January 27, 2008). Sonics drop a heartbreaker to Kings, 103–101, The Seattle Times. Retrieved Jun 26, 2012.
  27. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2008.html 2007–08 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Statistics
  28. Allen, Percy. Sonics vs. Lakers | Wilcox, Ridnour could reignite offense, The Seattle Times, January 14, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  29. Associated Press (February 4, 2008). Smith returns to starting lineup, leads Bulls past Sonics, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  30. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/swiftro01/gamelog/2008/ Robert Swift 2007–08 Game Log
  31. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/ Oklahoma City Thunder Franchise Index
  32. http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sonics/2008/01/durant_green_and_roy_to_play_i.html Durant, Green and Roy to play in Rookie Challenge game
  33. Allen, Percy. Sonics trade Kurt Thomas to Spurs, The Seattle Times, February 20, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  34. Evans, Jayda. No Bones in Seattle, The Seattle Times, February 21, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  35. Allen, Percy. Sonics trade Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West to Cavs, The Seattle Times, February 21, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  36. Willis, Paul. Denver delivers the Sonics' worst loss, The Seattle Times, March 17, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  37. Associated Press (March 16, 2008). Nuggets set NBA season high in scoring with 168–116 rout of SuperSonics, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  38. Associated Press (March 20, 2008). Sonics' reserve Mickael Gelabale out for season with torn ACL, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  39. Allen, Percy (March 27, 2008). Sonics' Chris Wilcox to miss rest of season, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  40. Allen, Percy (March 21, 2008). Injuries to Wilcox, Gelabale clip Sonics lineup, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  41. News: NBA Sonics seek arbitration to escape Seattle lease . AFP . September 21, 2007 . 2008-03-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080622133358/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9SX5Xx0dG5OJUP1gkLSlwzf-5ag . June 22, 2008 .
  42. ESPN.com News services (August 13, 2007). New owners intend to move Sonics if deal can't get done, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  43. News: City sues Sonics to enforce arena lease . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Greg . Johns . September 24, 2007 . 2008-04-22.
  44. Brunner, Jim; Thomas, Ralph (March 11, 2008). Ballmer's Sonics offer runs out soon, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  45. Brunner, Jim (April 8, 2008). Ballmer's proposal to expand KeyArena is dead, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  46. Allen, Percy (April 18, 2008). NBA approves Sonics' move to Oklahoma City, The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  47. [Sharon Chan (journalist)|Pian Chan, Sharon]
  48. Associated Press (August 21, 2008). Details of settlement between Bennett, Seattle revealed, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  49. https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/rom.html NBA Rookies of the Month
  50. http://www.nba.com/news/durant_roy_080501.html Kevin Durant Named T-Mobile Rookie of the Year
  51. Associated Press (February 29, 2008). Swift to have surgery to repair torn lateral meniscus in right knee, ESPN.com. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  52. Associated Press (March 20, 2008). Sonics’ Mickael Gelabale Out for Season With a Torn ACL, NBA.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  53. Allen, Percy. Point guard Eddie Gill picked to fill out lineup, The Seattle Times, March 25, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  54. Allen, Percy. Sonics sign Mike Wilks to 10-day contract, The Seattle Times, February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  55. Evans, Jayda. Newble waived, Swift to have surgery, The Seattle Times, February 29, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012.

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