Sonics Court Free Agent Payton

Seattle SuperSonics assistant coach Bob Weiss makes an interesting analogy about the era of free agency wrought by the new collective bargaining agreement.

“My concern about free agency is like the difference between being married and dating,” Weiss said. “If problems arise when you’re dating it’s easy to split off. But if you’re married, you try to make it work.

“Free agency is like dating. A guy can see a way out so he’s not necessarily going to work out the problems. And that interferes with the stability of the league and its franchises. When Alonzo Mourning left Charlotte that was devastating to a small-market franchise.”

An assortment of factors will come into play when Payton decides next summer whether or not he wants to marry into the Sonics’ organization and sign a long-term contract. In Weiss’ vernacular, Payton is dating the Sonics right now.

Shawn Kemp is at the front of the line of those pulling for Payton to make a commitment. It’s Kemp who envisions Payton-Kemp as a long-term NBA couple, succeeding Stockton and Karl Malone.

Will’s world

After grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds against the Sonics, Spurs backup center Will Perdue was asked if he was going to dye his hair green and adorn his body with tattoos, ala Dennis Rodman, the man he replaced in San Antonio.

“I don’t think my wife would stand for that,” Perdue said.

So, Madonna is out of the question?