Sonics Sign Cummings Veteran Gives Muscle Off Bench; Prospects Of Title Shot Sway Him

Hersey Hawkins grew up in Chicago watching Terry Cummings play at DePaul University.

Today, Hawkins and the rest of the Seattle SuperSonics will welcome Cummings to the team when the 14-year NBA veteran goes through his first practice.

Cummings, who has not played since last season, signed for the rest of the season Monday after passing a physical, and is expected to be in uniform Wednesday when Toronto visits the Sonics.

“He’s a big man, somebody that we need,” Hawkins said. “Somebody that will be getting in there and banging inside for us and getting rebounds.”

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Cummings will add scoring, rebounding and defense off the bench at both the small and power forward positions for the suddenly surging Sonics, who have won 10 of their past 12 games.

Cummings, who played 81 games for Milwaukee last season, was signed for a prorated share of the NBA minimum of $247,500 - all the Sonics can offer since they are at the salary cap limit.

Cummings said Saturday he turned down similar offers from other teams, but said Seattle “had some advantages” over other teams, chiefly a chance at competing for the NBA title, which Cummings has never won.

Sonics coach George Karl said he expects Cummings will need two or three weeks to get back into NBA-game playing shape.

“Basketball-wise, there’s a feel for the game that has to come,” Karl said. “But he will be fine. We aren’t going to ask him to play 30 minutes a game, but probably in the 10-15 minute range … But that will come in time.”