The Seattle SuperSonics became a beloved organization to many NBA fans in the Pacific Northwest. After the 2007–08 season ended, however, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City, where they now play as the Thunder. The move left an entire region of fans with just one team to root for, and that team was in a neighboring state (Portland Trail Blazers). Despite that fact, former Sonics forward Sam Perkins believes Seattle will have another team soon.
“When there was a game, (the fans in Seattle) came out,” Perkins said in a recent interview with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “I didn't realize that as a player. Looking back on it, whoever we played, especially the Lakers or anyone in our division, (the fans) were there.
“When you took that away, it took a part of Seattle away,” Perkins added. “It was so much fun just being in that arena. (The fans) are so passionate about it. I go to some of the Seahawks games, and they fans still live and breathe Sonics basketball.
“A piece of Seattle left when that team was sold away,” Perkins lamented. “It's gonna come. I don't know when. The fans are so passionate and they petition for it all of the time. Eventually, something has to break.”
Sam Perkins played 6 seasons with the Sonics and he still has a home in Seattle. He praised the local fans and said he believes it's only a matter of time until Seattle once again gets an NBA team. @NBAAlumni @BringBackSonics @SeattleSonics @SonicsBlog @JCrossover @IsaiahThomas pic.twitter.com/40y5f1V3tj
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 7, 2019
The Sonics won three Western Conference titles (1978, 1979 and 1996) and one championship (79′) over the course of their history. Older fans of the team will remember an era of Lenny Wilkens, who led the NBA in assists during the 1969–70 season. Somewhat younger fans will recall the age of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton in Seattle — a powerhouse duo that lost to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals.
So… will Seattle get another team? Perhaps, but it sounds like they team will need a new arena. The city has plenty of money, and it also has competing groups that are willing to finance a new venue. However, the NBA isn't looking to create another expansion team right away, according to an October report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
The NBA doesn't have expansion anywhere on its timeline, and Seattle's arena developments weren't discussed for a moment at the fall board of governors meeting two weeks ago, league sources said. Some prospective ownership groups that have met with NBA officials have been told expansion may not happen until 2025 at the earliest, when a new TV deal can be negotiated, sources said.
Hopefully, for the sake of basketball fans in the area, Seattle will have a team once again. For now, though, the memories of the team and its accomplishments will live on.
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