Sonics’ top draft pick long on potential

Robert Swift, less than a month out of high school, chose the NBA over college basketball because he felt it would mold him into a better player in a shorter span.

“It’s where I wanted to be, where I wanted to end up playing,” Swift said Monday. “If I start at a younger age, hopefully I’ll have more time to become the player I always wanted to be.”

The Seattle SuperSonics hosted a news conference for their first-round choice in last week’s draft, the 12th overall selection. They gushed over the potential they see in the gangly 7-footer from Bakersfield, Calif.

“He’s a confident young man. He really believes in himself,” coach Nate McMillan said. “He knows he’s got a long way to go, but he’s eager to be in the NBA, to move to the highest level of basketball.”

The 18-year-old Swift was good-natured but clearly nervous as he faced reporters.

Swift had committed to play at USC. He was considered one of the top five high school centers in the country last season, averaging 18.8 points, 15.9 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots a game.

McMillan was impressed after seeing videotape of Swift challenging other standouts like No. 1 overall draft choice Dwight Howard during high school All-Star games.

Swift claims to embrace the gritty elements of interior play.

“I love to play the post,” he said. “I like to get down and try to score on a guy, try to make something happen. If that doesn’t happen, hopefully you go back and grab a rebound or block a shot.”

The Sonics went into the draft willing to trade their first-round pick for a veteran player, but no deals developed. Unable to land a college player capable of breaking into the rotation next year, they chose Swift.

“Robert was the guy who we felt had the most upside,” McMillan said.

Team officials delightedly confirmed Swift is a legitimate 7-footer. The Sonics selected him without an opportunity to interview him or watch him play up close because he opted out of individual pre-draft workouts.

“His measurements today were 7-foot in his stocking feet, 7-1 in his shoes,” general manager Rick Sund reported.

Swift weighed in at 244 pounds, and it’s clear he needs to bulk up before he’ll be effective banging under the basket against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal or Kevin Garnett.

“I’m hoping to get into the weight room, do what I can do to get ready for the season,” Swift said.

By the most optimistic forecasts, Swift isn’t expected to help the Sonics until his second or third NBA season. Still, team officials are thrilled about his promising range of talent.

Francis drops objection to trade

The prospect of playing alongside high school star Dwight Howard and an easier road to the playoffs were enough to persuade Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis to drop his objections to a trade that would send him to the Orlando Magic for NBA leading scorer Tracy McGrady, according to his agent.

The Magic is expected to announce the trade, which was held up a week after Francis balked at playing for the last-place team, on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Francis, a three-time all-star, is flying to Orlando today to meet with the Magic’s management.

Under the terms of the trade, the Magic will send guard McGrady, forward Juwan Howard and guard Tyronn Lue to the Rockets for Francis, guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato, said the source.