Sonics swing deal for Watson
Earl Watson returned to the Seattle SuperSonics and forward Ruben Patterson was dealt from Portland to Denver on Thursday as part of a four-team, nine-player trade.
Sacramento was also involved in the deal, which was confirmed after approval by the NBA and is subject to all players passing physicals.
Seattle sent forward Reggie Evans to Denver and center Vitaly Potapenko to Portland and received Watson, forward Byron Russell and a second-round pick from the Nuggets. Portland sent Patterson and Charles Smith to Denver and acquired Voshon Lenard and forward Brian Skinner from Sacramento.
Portland then sent Potapenko to the Kings along with Sergei Monia.
In a separate deal, the Sonics sent guard Ronald Murray to Cleveland for Mike Wilks.
•In other trade news, New Orleans acquired forwards Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson III from the New Jersey Nets for forward Bostjan Nachbar; and Miami acquired swingman Derek Anderson from Houston for Gerald Fitch.
Stern asks Olympia for help
NBA commissioner David Stern asked Washington state lawmakers in Olympia for tax money to renovate the Sonics’ arena, saying there could be consequences if the state doesn’t act.
“A substantial amount has been done for the baseball and football teams. I’m here personally to find out whether the same is being considered fairly for the NBA,” Stern said at a legislative hearing, flanked by principal owner Howard Schultz and team president Wally Walker.
The Sonics say they have lost about $60 million in the past five years, and blame a revenue-sharing lease with the city of Seattle.
Around the league
Billionaire Paul Allen’s spokesman said the future of the Portland Trail Blazers is in doubt after Allen’s investment managers estimated the team stands to lose more than $100 million over the next three years. … Trail Blazers guard Sebastian Telfair was suspended for two games by the NBA for violating the league’s firearms policy. … Unable to trade Tim Thomas before the deadline, Chicago is discussing a contract buyout with their banished forward, general manager John Paxson said.
On the court
Rasheed Wallace scored 11 of his game-high 28 points in a key fourth-quarter surge to lift the Detroit Pistons to an 88-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Auburn Hills, Mich.
Lakers 106, Kings 85: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and added a season-high 10 assists, and Los Angeles took command early in the final period to beat Sacramento.
Mavericks 97, Grizzlies 87: Dirk Nowitzki had 31 points and Jason Terry scored 23, pushing Dallas past Memphis for its franchise-record 13th straight home win.