Sonics' Ridnour, Collison unlikely to get deals

Luke Ridnour and Nick Collison have been a package deal since the Sonics selected them 12th and 14th in the 2003 draft.

Keeping them together beyond the 2006-07 season, however, might be extremely difficult.

General manager Rick Sund has had preliminary discussions with each about a contract extension and he will likely make them long-term offers in a few weeks, but the chances of both of them re-signing are slim.

Historically, All-Stars or those considered franchise-type players are given extensions the year before their rookie contracts expire.

From the 2003 draft class, stars such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh signed maximum contract extensions this summer, while several second-tier players are negotiating.

Los Angeles Clipper Chris Kaman, the sixth pick in 2003, Chicago's Kirk Hinrich (No. 7), New Orleans' David West (No. 18), Phoenix's Boris Diaw (No. 21) and Dallas' Josh Howard (No. 29) are in the same position as Ridnour and Collison.

Still, there are exceptions.

Phoenix guard Leandro Barbosa, who was taken 28th, signed a five-year deal last week reportedly worth as much as $33 million, which bodes well for Ridnour.

After three seasons, the Sonics guard has better averages in every significant category than Barbosa.

Ridnour has averaged more points (9.2 to 9.1), assists (5.2 to 2.4), rebounds (2.4 to 2.1), steals (1.1 to 0.9) and minutes (27.4 to 22.0). He's played in 40 more games (230 to 190) and has had nearly three times as many starts (165 to 63).

Still, the Sonics aren't desperate to lock up Ridnour to a long contract because dependable backup Earl Watson is signed through 2010.

Collison's case is even more precarious.

Technically, the 6-foot-9 power forward is entering his third season because two shoulder surgeries ended his rookie season before it began. Over the past two seasons he has shown promise, but has been unspectacular as a reserve.

Last season, Collison was promoted to the starting lineup after a series of trades in February, but a partially-torn left plantar fascia forced him to miss 14 games and allowed newcomer Chris Wilcox to emerge as a burgeoning star.

Wilcox signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Sonics a few weeks ago, leaving Collison's future with the team undetermined.

"There's room for both of them," coach Bob Hill said last month. "We'll find minutes for them on the court."

Perhaps, but can the fiscally frugal Sonics find enough money to satisfy two young power forwards? Wilcox turns 24 next month and Collison will be 26 in October.

"There's no great sense of urgency to get anything done with either of them," general manager Rick Sund said of Ridnour and Collison. "We've still got time."

The Sonics must sign Ridnour and Collison by Oct. 31 or they become restricted free agents after the season, which means Seattle can match any offer it receives next summer to retain their services.

Lewis waits for sale

The Sonics can't begin negotiating Rashard Lewis' two-year, $25 million extension until Sept. 19, which is the anniversary of when he signed his seven-year, $60 million contract in 2002.

Still, the most important dates are in late October and Nov. 1. The NBA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in late October and is expected to approve the sale of the Sonics to a group fronted by Oklahoma businessman Clay Bennett. It's highly unlikely that Sund would complete Lewis' deal before the new ownership group officially takes over.

Nov. 1 is the start of the regular season. Lewis said he'd like to resolve contract matters before then so he could concentrate solely on basketball.

If he doesn't sign an extension, Lewis can void the final two years of his contract that's worth about $20 million after the season and become an unrestricted free agent. If he signs the extension, he'll be under contract until 2011.

No Halperin signing

Contrary to a report in the Jerusalem Post, the Sonics are not close to signing rookie guard Yotem Halperin to a one-year deal. The 6-5 shooting guard, who was taken in the second round of the draft (53rd overall), was tendered a standard non-guaranteed rookie contract, which allows Seattle to secure his NBA rights.

The Sonics will also tender guard Denham Brown to a rookie contract and invite him to training camp.

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