Sonics guard Earl Watson breaks thumb, will have surgery

Rather than make a big splash, the Sonics are shaking off several injuries as they slowly wade into the free-agency waters for the second consecutive year.

Point guard Earl Watson suffered the latest injury, a fractured thumb announced by the team Tuesday. The 29-year-old Watson will undergo surgery Thursday in Los Angeles. The seven-year pro, who took over the starting role from Luke Ridnour last season, is expected to miss three to four months but could return by the end of training camp.

The Sonics also quietly severed ties with Mickael Gelabale, which went virtually unnoticed while A-list free agents Baron Davis, Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand dominate NBA headlines.

Gelabale, a second-year swingman, was not given a qualifying offer, which makes him an unrestricted free agent and may end his brief NBA career. He tore his right anterior-cruciate ligament on March 18, and was expected to miss most of next season if he returned.

Watson joins centers Muhammad Sene and Robert Swift, who are recovering from injuries suffered last season. The Sonics extended Swift a qualifying offer, which may be the extent of their free-agency deals.

Seattle didn't sign a free agent last summer, and it is not one of the league's big shoppers this year, though the team should be about $5 million under the projected $58 million salary cap. The Sonics will commit about $53 million to payroll once it signs first-round draft picks Russell Westbrook, D.J. White and second-rounder DeVon Hardin.

Sam Presti remains committed to the plan he devised last year when he was hired as the Sonics general manager.

He has used the draft and a series of trades to restock the roster with young defensive-minded players. Presti also pruned the long-term contracts with an eye on spending in 2009, when the team will have roughly $20 million to $23 million in cap space.

Ridnour, a fifth-year point guard who has two years remaining on his contract and will make $13 million, is expected to draw interest from teams. The Sonics acquired Westbrook with the No. 4 pick in last week's draft.

The 6-foot-2 Ridnour suffered his worst season since his rookie year, averaging 6.4 points and 4.0 assists. A quadriceps injury forced him to miss 15 games, and he lost his starting job to Watson. But with Watson recovering from the broken thumb, Ridnour seems less likely to be traded.

New York, Miami, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers are shopping for point guards. A league source said Tuesday the Knicks are a likely team for Ridnour because he can run coach Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense.

The most eligible free-agent point guards include Jason Williams and Carlos Arroyo, but Chicago's Kirk Hinrich, Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley and Charlotte's Raymond Felton could be available in a trade.

The Sonics are expected to have 15 players under contract because rookie center Serge Ibaka will remain in Europe next season.

Free agency began Tuesday. Players can orally commit to deals, but aren't allowed to sign contracts until July 9.

Notes

• Second-year forward Jeff Green and rookie guard Westbrook highlight the Sonics' summer-league roster, which begins the Orlando Pro Summer League on Monday.

Other rookies include: White, Hardin, G Ronald Dupree, F Ndudi Ebi, G Aaron Bruce, F Mykal Riley, G Ronnell Taylor, F/C Justin Williams, F Brian Randle and F/C Nick Lewis.

• The Sonics' Kevin Durant and Green are expected to play on a team that will scrimmage the U.S. Olympic team July 21-24 in Las Vegas.

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