Kemp Says His Career As A Supersonic Is Over

Shawn Kemp, unhappy with his contract and fed up with the atmosphere surrounding the team, says he is through playing for the Seattle SuperSonics.

“It’s been so negative there in the city over the last couple of years. It would be impossible for me to be in that situation again,” the star forward told ESPN in an interview that was broadcast Thursday. “I would never let myself go back there to play another 82-game season in Seattle.

“I think the team deserves better and the fans deserve better. I think it’s time for us to get a new start.”

General manager Wally Walker isn’t so sure.

In a telephone news conference Thursday, Walker said he was disappointed that Kemp went public with his grievances while spurning requests to meet with the club.

Kemp still has six years on his contract and cannot renegotiate - with the Sonics or any club that might acquire him - until Oct. 8 under the players’ bargaining agreement.

“We don’t have anything in the works in terms of a trade, and we certainly won’t make one that isn’t a good deal for the Sonics,” Walker said.

“It’s just going to require something very valuable in return,” he said. “The only way we trade is if it’s an outstanding deal for Seattle.”

Kemp, who was paid $3 million last season, said the situation has “reached the point of no return.”

“No doubt about it,” he told ESPN. “This is not a situation that has developed in the last month or two months. This has been a buildup over the last couple of years.”