Ronald Dupree relishes opportunity after joining Sonics on 10-day contract

Ronald Dupree took the winding road instead of the direct route to the NBA. The newest Sonic is happy to be working after signing a 10-day contract Thursday, staying after practice to work out with player-development assistant Brian Keefe.

Dupree is so happy that he doesn't seem to mind playing for a team without playoff hopes. The former Louisiana State standout is with the Sonics, one of the NBA's worst teams, and in Seattle, a city uncertain about where its team will play next season.

To Dupree, the uncertain present doesn't dim a bright future for what he considers a young team on the rise.

"This is a different situation," Dupree said. "We've got some good young guys mixed in with some good veteran leadership. It's not about the now. This year wasn't something where it was a make or break season. It's about the future and establishing something for next year and years to come.

"This team is going to be OK whether we're here or Oklahoma. It's a type of situation that's on the up and up."

Dupree, a 6-foot-7 forward, played for the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Developmental League, averaging 17.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He's energetic and a solid defender.

He played one game for Detroit this season, and previously played for the Pistons, where he became friends with current Sonics assistant general manager Scott Perry, then a college scout for Detroit. Dupree has played in 150 NBA games over five seasons, averaging 3.7 points and 2.2 rebounds.

He could play tonight when the Sonics (17-58) host Houston (49-25) because forward Damien Wilkins hasn't returned to the team because of personal reasons. And if forward Donyell Marshall is unable to return from a knee injury, Dupree could play power forward, with rookie Jeff Green.

"I don't look at the 10 days as make or break, I look at it as a time where they can evaluate me," Dupree said. "There's not much you can do with 10 days but show my work ethic. If somebody gets hurt, I'll be here. But hopefully there's something beyond this season.

"The cream always rises to the top and my opportunity will come."

In addition to speaking with Perry throughout this season about possibly joining the Sonics, Dupree has a history with Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo and played for assistant coach Ralph Lewis when both were in the NBA Development League.

"He's an aggressive player, good defender and he can score," Carlesimo said.

The Sonics did not offer guard Eddie Gill a second 10-day contract.

Sene to D-League

The Sonics demoted center Mouhamed Sene, sending him back to the Idaho Stampede. Sene played 27 games with the D-League affiliate in Boise, Idaho, early this season, averaging 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds and starting in four games.

Sene, a second-year center, played sparingly with the Sonics. He averaged 4.8 minutes in 13 games this season. The lack of playing time while the staff evaluates newcomers Francisco Elson and Donyell Marshall and third-year player Johan Petro, prompted the Sonics to move Sene back to Idaho.

He'll appear in the final five games of the season and be available for the Stampede's playoff run.

"Yanking him in and out or the possibility of him being able to play through his mistakes, I just didn't see it helping him," Carlesimo said. "It's not going to change what we think about Mo at all. Mo is going to be here. He's improving and getting more meaningful playing time and being a bigger part of what they are doing down there."

Note

• Milwaukee said it wouldn't comment about its general-manager search, but that hasn't stopped names from popping up as possible candidates. Former Sonics GM Rick Sund is a likely candidate and will not be under contract with Seattle after this season. Perry also could be considered. Neither Perry nor Sund were available for comment.