Karl Staying With Sonics, Team Affirms

Seattle SuperSonics management seriously considered firing coach George Karl. In the end, the Sonics couldn’t do it.

“I spent a lot of time thinking about it,” general manager Wally Walker said Wednesday.

After first-round playoff exits the past two seasons, the Sonics could have released Karl, a coach with a glowing regular-season record and dismal playoff reputation.

Sonics fans may have trouble agreeing with owner Barry Ackerley’s decision to keep Karl because of Seattle’s back-to-back playoff flops, Walker admitted.

Three assistants - Bob Weiss, Terry Stotts and Dwayne Casey - will return next season, the final guaranteed year of Karl’s contract.

The Sonics may also have a job for Tim Grgurich, who stepped down as coach at UNLV and rejoined the Sonics on a volunteer basis.