Seattle loses ground in defeat to Nuggets

The Sonics have fallen so far and the distance to respectability is so great that tweaking the roster with a trade wouldn't necessarily improve their slim playoff chances.

Still, after another lethargic game in which they lost 120-112 in overtime to the Denver Nuggets before 16,392 at KeyArena, coach Bob Hill practically pleaded for management to make a deal before it's too late.

"Everybody in Seattle sees we need a backup point guard," he said. "Everybody in our division, everybody we play knows we need a backup point guard.

"They're working on it. [General manager] Rick Sund is great. He's done everything he can to help because we need help. We're doing a good job with a bunch of young guys, and I think if we get some help we can be really good this year."

The clock is ticking for Sund. Only 10 days remain before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.

Sunday's defeat severely hinders Seattle's chances of catching Northwest Division-leading Denver (28-25). The Sonics, who lost 30 games last season, fell to 20-31 and are seven games behind in the standings.

Since Hill replaced fired Bob Weiss on Jan. 3, Seattle is 7-14.

"I'm really disappointed we couldn't get this one because if they're the best team in our division and we just play them that well without [injured] Rashard [Lewis], then ... " Hill said. "We can still get the title. Our division is up for grabs."

Some might argue the Sonics needed to make a deal several weeks ago, perhaps when they made the coaching change.

Hill's lack of confidence in reserve guards Ronald Murray and Mateen Cleaves appears to be affecting their performances.

Denver's reserve guards fared better: Earl Boykins had 11 points and four assists, and Earl Watson scored eight points.

The Sonics reportedly have had trade talks with Denver about Watson, but nothing substantial has emerged from those discussions.

"It takes two to tango," Hill said.

The longer the Sonics wait, the longer Luke Ridnour must carry a burden heavier than Hill envisions.

"The sooner that we can get some help, the better off," Hill said. "It's a double-edged sword now because Luke is tired. I talk to him about it. God bless him, he's the best, but he needs some rest. That All-Star break can't come quick enough."

Ridnour, whose 34.2 minutes per game are third most on the team, played 39 minutes, 50 seconds Sunday. He needed 17 shots to accumulate 15 points and also had eight assists and six rebounds.

When Ridnour is not on the floor, Hill cringes. But lately the coach has found comfort in Damien Wilkins, an adept utility man.

At times, Wilkins handles the playmaking responsibilities, but his top priority Sunday was producing points while substituting for Lewis, who missed his first game of the season because of a bruised right thigh.

Wilkins drained his biggest shot of the season, a 17-foot jumper over Carmelo Anthony that tied the score 102-102 with 10.1 seconds left in regulation.

Any momentum the Sonics had dissipated early in overtime as they committed three turnovers and misfired on two off-balance three-pointers on their first seven possessions.

Denver's aggressive defense prevented Ray Allen (eight three-pointers and a game-high 34 points) and Wilkins (21 points and career-high 10 rebounds) from attempting a field goal in overtime.

Meanwhile, Anthony had little problem scoring in the paint. He finished with a team-high 33 points on 9-for-21 shooting. He also converted 15 of 17 free throws.

Anthony nearly had more free throws than the Sonics, who made 17 of 20.

Kenyon Martin added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, and Andre Miller had 21 points and nine assists.

If the losing continues and the Sonics fail to make a trade, Hill expects to fully embrace the youth movement, which prominently features rookie center Johan Petro and second-year center Robert Swift.

"You have to take a hard look at playing Johan and Robert, throwing them the ball and putting in more sets for them," Hill said. "Developing them a little bit further. Getting Damien on the floor more. I think that's the direction we'd go, the total development of the young guys."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com