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June 5, 2008 4:25 PM

Love, Hibbert highlight first batch of draft tryouts

Posted by Percy Allen

UCLA forward/center Kevin Love worked out for the Sonics today at the Furtado Center. The Pac-10 Player of the Year was joined by Ohio State 7-foot center Kostas Koufos, North Carolina State 6-9 forward J.J. Hickson and 6-10 Australian Nathan Jawai.

Tomorrow the Sonics will bring in Georgetown center Roy Hibbert, UCLA 6-4 guard Russell Westbrook, Illinois 6-9 forward Shaun Pruitt and IUPUI 6-2 guard George Hill.

The Sonics have the fourth and 24th pick in the June 26 draft.

It's unlikely that Seattle would use its first pick to select Love, however, it's believed that he's drawing interest from Minnesota, which has the third pick. Rumors continue to swirl that the Sonics are shopping the fourth pick and looking to move back in the lottery and possibly take Love.

On the surface, taking Love doesn't make sense because his game is similar to Nick Collison, another undersized big man. However, Collison is one of a few Sonic veterans with high trade value and the team could deal him for a high pick in next year's draft.

Koufos and Hibbert are both projects and possibilities for the 24th pick whereas Westbrook appears to be a more solid choice late in the first round.

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Posted by Geoff

9:48 PM, Jun 05, 2008

All the mock drafts have Westbrook going late in the lottery--not late in the draft. I think that is what your probably meant? Why would the Sonics trade down to select Love (a Collison clone) when they have such a glaring need at point? IOK--maybe Love is better offensively at this stage than Nick. I would think the Sonics would actively be shopping all their 2nd round picks and package them with say Wilcox and the 24th to move up substantially and maybe they could get Mayo or Bayless plus another key lottery guy. Even with Durant and Green--this team is not close--so they need more young talent. Next year they can start acquring veteren leadership around the young guns. Maybe I could care less next year--if they are gone.

Posted by Crow

9:21 AM, Jun 06, 2008

George Hill worth the look for possible late 2nd round pick.

Pruitt probably headed to D league but can't hurt to see in person.

Posted by stuuby

2:25 PM, Jun 06, 2008

I think Hibbert would be more amenable to OKC than Love who might get cranky.

Posted by KJRSoniconPhonic

10:10 PM, Jun 06, 2008

I went to courthouse for the rally today and could not find the rally. Did they move the address?

Posted by Joe

11:15 AM, Jun 07, 2008

There was preliminary courtroom meeting inside yesterday but the trial doesn't really start til the 16th and that is when the rally happens- 4:30 pm June 18th.

Posted by Joe

11:16 AM, Jun 07, 2008

June 16th. (sorry for the typo)

Posted by SeattleFan91

2:33 PM, Jun 08, 2008

Bring Friends, Spread the Word!

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sonics/index.html#028705

SOS has asked several former Sonics to attend including Xavier McDaniel, Detlef Schrempf and Gary Payton. The federal courthouse is located at 700 Stewart.
More details will be released in the next couple of weeks.

In March, the group organized a rally at the state Capitol in Olympia which drew about 250 supporters.

***UPDATE/CORRECTIONS*** The rally will begin at 4:30 and the address is 700 Stewart NOT 1010 Fifth Ave.

And just to be technical, Brian Robinson is the co-founder of SOS along with Steven Pyeatt.

X-man and GP will be there.

Posted by jeffd928

7:09 AM, Jun 11, 2008

Claybutt could care less whether the Sonics become winners in Seattle. When Claybutt loses his Key Arena lease case, he will continue to trade away players and high draft picks for FUTURE consideration. What a class act!

Posted by sonic fan

4:33 PM, Jun 13, 2008

Hey stuuby, you guys from OKC are pathetic with your low basketball IQ's. We have drafted 3 Hibberts in a row.