Originally published Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Seattle's KeyArena to host Blazers-Suns exhibition Oct. 14

The Sonics are gone, but KeyArena will be the site of an exhibition Oct. 14 at KeyArena between their former Northwest rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Phoenix Suns.

By Percy Allen

Seattle Times staff reporter

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It turns out the NBA is returning to Seattle next season after all. There's twist to this basketball story, however.

The Sonics, the city's former team, will remain in Oklahoma City as the Thunder and the league will stage an exhibition Oct. 14 at KeyArena between the Sonics' former Northwest rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Phoenix Suns.

A Blazers spokeswoman and a Seattle Center spokeswoman declined to comment. Blazers play-by-play announcer Brian Wheeler broke the news Tuesday on his KXL-AM radio show in Portland during an interview with KJR-AM radio host Mike Gastineau.

An NBA official confirmed a Blazers-Suns game in Seattle is set, but spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league officially releases schedules in late July or early August.

"It didn't surprise me that he said that. It surprises me that a game is coming here," Gastineau said. "I'm a little surprised that there's a move to play a game up here because it seems awfully raw still. It seems pretty quick to try to come back."

The Sonics negotiated a $45 million settlement with Mayor Greg Nickels last July that allowed owner Clay Bennett to break the remaining year of his KeyArena lease and relocate the team.

The Blazers considered hosting an exhibition in Seattle last year, but team executives said there wasn't enough time to organize a game. The team has a cable TV deal with Comcast that televises Portland games in the Seattle area, and the Blazers plan to extend a marketing campaign into Seattle to entice former Sonics fans.

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

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