Karl Has Cards To Play Sonics Guarantee Deal For Next Year, But Coach Wants More Commitment

George Karl has a guaranteed contract to coach the SuperSonics next season, but he hints broadly that the team dragged its feet in making the move.

Karl left open the possibility that he might not return, if the one year is not extended another three years or so.

Karl said he will take up an offer by team president Wally Walker to return to the bargaining table after the Sonics’ playoff run ends.

“I’m definitely into commitment,” he said Wednesday. “I don’t want another compromise. I don’t want another year of, ‘What’s going to happen to George Karl?’ and ‘Where’s he going to be?’ “I think it’s time to recommit, or get out. I’ve said that to Wally many times and I think he respects that. It’s also time not to renegotiate a contract. It’s time to try to win and do everything possible there.

“I don’t think it falls into the line of unhappiness. … (But) the turmoil and distraction of George Karl, personally, I think I deserve better than that.”

The winningest coach in franchise history, Karl said he will take some time after the season to consider his options. He said he could decide to commit more time to his daughter Kelsey, who will enter her senior year at Sammamish High School.

There have been reports out of Charlotte that the Hornets have tabled their coaching search until they can make contact with Karl, as well as Chicago assistant Jim Cleamons.

The future of the Sonics’ seven free agents will partly be dictated by the resolution of Karl’s job security. There have been strong indications that the most prominent of the team’s free-agents-to-be, Gary Payton, would not come back if Karl didn’t. Then again, Karl’s return still would not guarantee Payton’s.

It could with others.

“I would want George back,” one impending free agent, Frank Brickowski, said, flatly.

Even while casting doubt on his situation, Karl used the occasion to renew his lobbying to keep his team intact. “I’m hopeful this is the beginning of keeping the team together,” he said. “I think we’ve earned that right. I think the team has earned a commitment.”