Swift's injury finishes season

Robert Swift slipped into the passenger side of a black truck at the Sonics' training facility on Friday morning and rode off to an uncertain future.

The promising 20-year-old center was diagnosed with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the entire season to rehabilitate the injury.

The 7-foot-1 Swift, who was to have been the starting center on opening night Wednesday, appeared to be blossoming into the type of frontline player the Sonics wanted when they selected the then-shy high-schooler in the 2004 draft.

But while scrambling for a loose ball near the Sonics' bench 77 seconds into the team's exhibition victory Wednesday against Sacramento, Swift's knee buckled as he landed with the ball, resulting in the injury.

Sonics coach Bob Hill now will start Senegalese rookie Mouhamed Sene for the season opener against Portland, liking the 7-foot center's chances against Blazers veteran Joel Przybilla. The position still will be played by committee overall, with Johan Petro and forward Nick Collison also seeing minutes at center.

"It's a cold way to put it, but injuries are part of our existence," Hill said. "Now it looks like we were brilliant in drafting Mouhamed. We'll make do. But the thing that really hurts more in the big picture is the future of the franchise because [Swift] was such a big part of it.

"It's going to be a hard road coming back. The hardest part is the rehab. It's long and it gets boring and monotonous and your leg gets sore and there's apathy. If his attitude about the rehab is like his attitude about the season, though, he'll be fine."

The Sonics picked up the fourth-year option on Swift's contract last week, signing him through 2008. General manager Rick Sund said the injury would not have played a factor in the signing had it occurred earlier. And as of Friday, Sund isn't working to find a veteran center to add to the roster.

Like Hill, Sund likes the Sonics' depth inside and because the team has adapted to playing smaller lineups, the urgency for a big man is not necessary.

Sonics guard Ray Allen, however, said the team "may need to bring somebody in," and he wished there was more time to adjust to Sene before the regular season.

Sene, 20, did start in the Sonics' exhibition finale against Golden State on Thursday, finishing with six points, six rebounds, three blocks and only one foul in 16 minutes. Yet, he was playing against the Warriors' second unit, including Patrick O'Bryant, a 7-foot rookie out of Bradley who's the same age as Sene. Against seasoned NBA players like Houston's Yao Ming or Miami's Shaquille O'Neal, Sene will obviously struggle.

But Hill said he thinks Sene is better with the starters and because Petro doesn't mind playing off the bench, the decision is easier.

"We've got the flexibility of some players having the versatility of playing different positions," Sund said. "You're always looking to improve your club, but more than anything I'm disappointed for Robert. He really worked hard this summer. It was by far the hardest summer he put into getting ready for this season, and then to get an injury is disappointing for him."

The Sonics, who have also been busy transitioning owners and dealing with the resignation of president Wally Walker this week, received some slightly good news in guard Earl Watson's health. He lost both front teeth during a foul midway through the fourth quarter of the victory Wednesday and one tooth lodged in his throat, sending him to the hospital.

Watson has temporary teeth and had surgery to have permanent replacements installed Friday after practice. In the past, he has refused to wear a mouthpiece despite having his teeth knocked out numerous times.

"He kind of indicated this morning that he's going to get fitted for a mouthpiece, though," Hill said.

Fortson suspended

Forward Danny Fortson is picking up where he left off last season. He was suspended without pay for the season opener due to a flagrant foul penalty called on him going against Sacramento forward Ron Artest on Wednesday. The foul was upgraded Friday to a penalty two by Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president, basketball operations.

The incident occurred with three seconds remaining in the opening quarter. With arms raised, the 6-8 Fortson smacked into Artest's torso and head as he penetrated toward the hoop.

Fortson said he believes he's unfairly marked by the officials and even called Jackson a "gangster" after he accumulated more than $200,000 in fines from technical fouls and suspensions last season.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com