The next to the last pick in the 1st round belongs to the
NBA's runner up, the Seattle Sonics who has as a GM:

  Scott Simmons

and he selects:

  Brian Evans, SF, 6-8, Indiana  

==========================================================================
I. Team Needs/History

The Sonics advanced to the NBA Finals and showed few weaknesses,
outscoring their opponents by almost eight points per game during the
season, holding them to .438 field-goal shooting, and outrebounding the
opposition.

The Sonics' talented starting lineup features guards Gary
Payton and Hersey Hawkins and forwards Shawn Kemp and
Detlef Schrempf. Payton, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year,
and Hawkins are both free agents but both are expected to be
re-signed.

The bench, led by Sam Perkins, Nate McMillan and Vincent
Askew, shows few holes, either.

Without a true center to back up starter Ervin Johnson, the
Sonics may look for some size for their bench. Drafting so late in the
first round, with the 28th overall pick, and with so few apparent needs,
the Sonics will probably go the "best available" player route, and may
draft a foreign player as a long-term investment.

A) CENTER

OVERVIEW

Although the Sonics are a well balanced team with good depth, their
weakest postion is at center.  Perkins was called upon to lead the
team up the middle, as Johnson saw his playing time diminish.  Perkins
lead the centers with minutes played (26.5), Steals (1.01), Assists
(1.5) and points (11.8).  Johnson, the tallest of the Centers at
6'11", lead the centres in blocks (1.59) and rebounds (5.3).

SAM PERKINS  C-F   6-9.

Sam Perkins has enjoyed a wealth of success on the basketball
court. He owns an NCAA Championship ring and an Olympic gold medal,
and he has reached the NBA Playoffs in all but 2 of his 11 pro
seasons. Perkins can man both the center and forward positions and
possesses an especially smooth style for a player his size. Though
tough inside, "the Big Smooth" is a finesse player who in recent years
has become a dangerous three-point shooter.

Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round (fourth pick
overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft. Signed as an unrestricted free agent
by the Los Angeles Lakers on 8/6/90. Traded by the Lakers to the
Seattle SuperSonics for Benoit Benjamin and Doug Christie on 2/22/93.

ERVIN JOHNSON  C  6-11

The Seattle SuperSonics, in search of rebounding and shotblocking
help, snatched Johnson with the 23rd overall pick in the 1993 NBA
Draft. The Sonics racked up the league's best regular-season record
(63-19) in Johnson's rookie campaign, and he saw little action,
averaging 6.2 minutes, 2.6 points, and 2.6 rebounds in 45 games. In
his second campaign he made significant improvement, rising to become
the Sonics' starting center in the latter part of the season.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (23rd pick
overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft.

STEVE SCHEFFLER  C  6-9

Scheffler's pro career has been less remarkable. A second-round draft
pick of the Charlotte Hornets in 1990/91, he spent the 1990/91 season
on the bench with the Hornets and the 1991-92 season shuffling between
the Continental Basketball Association and two brief stints in the
NBA. In 1992 he found a home with the Seattle SuperSonics, serving as
a third-string center.  Scheffler's high for minutes in a season was
227 as a rookie, and his best scoring average was 2.3 points per
contest in 1992-93. But he can bang inside, always hits better than
.500 from the field in a season, and brings enthusiasm and hustle.

Selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round (39th pick
overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft. Waived by the Hornets on
5/31/91. Signed as a free agent by the Boston Celtics on
10/2/91. Waived by the Celtics on 10/30/91. Played in the Continental
Basketball Association with the Quad City Thunder in 1991-92. Signed
by the Sacramento Kings to a 10-day contract on 2/13/92.  Signed by
the Denver Nuggets to the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts on
2/27/92. Re-signed by the Nuggets for the remainder of the season on
3/17/92. Signed as a free agent by the Seattle SuperSonics on
10/8/92. Waived by the SuperSonics on 11/26/92. Re-signed by the
SuperSonics on 12/2/92.


B) FORWARDS

OVERVIEW

College, Schmollege....just ask Shawn Kemp.  One of the 1st to make
the jump from High School to the Pros has proven his critics wrong.
Schremph, the best player to ever come out of Germany, along with
Kemp, gave the Sonics a huge 1-2 punch.  Brickowski and Perkins added
depth, while putting in time at center as well.  Kemp led the forwards
in blocked shots (1.61), steals (1.18), rebounds (11.4) and points
(19.6).  Schremph led in minutes played (34.9) and Assists (4.4).

SHAWN KEMP  F  6-10

A powerful athlete and one of the most exciting dunkers in the game,
Shawn Kemp has developed from a raw talent who skipped college
basketball into an elite NBA player. Since entering the league in
1989, the 6-foot-10 forward has made three All-Star Game appearances
and has twice been named to the All-NBA Second Team.

Kemp made the All-Star Game in 1993, 1994, and 1995 and was a member
of Dream Team II, which won a gold medal for the United States at the
1994 World Championship of Basketball. He finished among the NBA's top
20 in blocked shots from 1990-91 through 1994-95. In 1990-91, his
second season, he shot .508 from the floor and averaged 15.0
points. In 1991-92 he averaged 15.5 points and 10.4 rebounds in the
regular season and then led Seattle to an upset of the Golden State
Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, averaging 22.0 points and
16.3 rebounds in that series. In 1992-93 he placed 12th in the NBA in
both blocks and rebounding and paced the Sonics in scoring at 17.8
points per game. He shot .512 from the field in the 1993 playoffs as
Seattle lost to the Phoenix Suns in seven games in the Western
Conference Finals.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (17th pick
overall) of the 1989 NBA Draft.


DETLEF SCHREMPF  F  6-10

Versatility has always been Schrempf's strength. At 6-foot-10, he has
the size to work inside, but he is also an effective driver, adept
passer, and excellent long-range shooter. He has twice lost the
three-point shooting title on the last day of the season. Because of
his multiple skills, Schrempf was projected by many to be the next
Larry Bird when he was selected eighth overall by the Dallas Mavericks
in the 1985 NBA Draft.  Although Schrempf started slowly and never
achieved Birdlike numbers, he has developed into an excellent NBA
player. He also played for the German Olympic team in 1984 and 1992.

Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round (eighth pick
overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft. Traded by the Mavericks with a 1990 or
1991 second-round draft choice to the Indiana Pacers for Herb Williams
on 2/21/89. Traded by the Pacers to the Seattle SuperSonics for
Derrick McKey and Gerald Paddio on 11/1/93.

FRANK BRICKOWSKI  F-C  6-9

As solid as his name suggests, but with a better shooting touch, Frank
Brickowski has had a fruitful NBA career as a rugged low-post player
who has operated over and around bigger and quicker players. The rise
to respectability, however, was slow for Brickowski; he didn't achieve
a double-figure scoring average in the NBA until six seasons after he
left college. He then averaged in double figures in six of the next
seven campaigns, with a career field-goal percentage over .500.

Selected by the New York Knicks in the third round (57th pick overall)
of the 1981 NBA Draft. Played in Italy in 1981-82. Played in France in
1982-83.  Draft rights relinquished by the Knicks on 6/30/83. Played
in Israel in 1983-84. Signed as a free agent by the Seattle
SuperSonics on 9/23/84.  Signed as a veteran free agent by the Los
Angeles Lakers on 10/8/86. Traded by the Lakers with Petur
Gudmundsson, a 1987 first-round draft choice, a 1990 second-round
draft choice, and cash to the San Antonio Spurs for Mychal Thompson on
2/r the playoffs by a single game.

SHERRELL FORD  F  6-7

Sherell Ford finished his three-year college career at the University
of Illinois' Chicago with 2,012 points, only 13 shy of Kenny
Williams's four-year scoring total of 2,025. Despite having played
only three years, Ford also ranks among the school92s career leaders
in rebounds (third, 807), field-goal attempts (first, 1,638), field
goals made (first, 790), three-point field-goal attempts (third, 294),
three-point field goals made (third, 102), free throws made (third,
330), steals (fourth, 148), and blocked shots (first, 164). He helped
UIC to consecutive appearances in the championship game of the
Mid-Continent Conference Tournament in 1993 and 1994. Ford was also
named MVP of the Nike Desert Classic after averaging 17.7 points and
5.7 rebounds per game in Phoenix.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (26th pick
overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft.


C) GUARDS

OVERVIEW

Gary Payton who?  If you were asking that question two years ago, you
definately aren't now.  Payton raised his level of play this year and
has become a household name amongst hoop fans.  Although he's still
prone to making questionable decisions at the offensive end of the
floor, he more than makes up for it at the defensive end, as he won
Defensive Player of the Year.  He, along with Hersey Hawkins anchored
the Sonics by loggin 39 and 34 minutes per game respectively.  Payton
led in virually every category for the guards this season including
minutes played (39.0), steals (2.85), assists (7.5), rebounds (4.2)
and points (19.3).  Nate McMillan led in blocks (0.33).

GARY PAYTON  G  6-4

Energetic and frenetic, Gary Payton is a first-rate NBA point guard
who can turn a game around with his defensive play. In a five-year
career marked by improvement each season-especially at the offensive
end-Payton has twice played in the NBA All-Star Game and has twice
been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He was also an All-NBA
Second Team selection in 1995.

The highest draft pick in Seattle SuperSonics history (No. 2 overall
in 1990), Payton was the team's starting point guard from the day he
walked into training camp. Although his outside shooting was shaky as
a rookie, his one-on-one defense, speed on the break, and fearless
drives to the hoop immediately established him as a player to be
reckoned with. By his third season, 1992-93, he was a recognized point
guard, averaging 13.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.16 steals and leading
the SuperSonics to the Western Conference Finals. Payton and Shawn
Kemp were considered perhaps the most talented young duo in the
league.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (second pick
overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft.

HERSEY HAWKINS  G  6-3

At 6-foot-3, Hersey Hawkins is one of the NBA's premier scorers from
the shooting guard position. A crack marksman from the outside and a
superb shooter from the free-throw line, Hawkins also provides defense
(with more than 100 steals in each of his NBA seasons) and durability
(only seven missed games in his first seven NBA campaigns). He played
in the NBA All-Star Game in 1991.

Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round (sixth pick
overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft. Draft rights traded with a 1989
first-round draft choice by the Clippers to the Philadelphia 76ers for
the draft rights to Charles Smith on 6/28/88. Traded by Philadelphia
to the Charlotte Hornets for Dana Barros, Sidney Green, the draft
rights to Greg Graham, and the option to switch 1994 first-round draft
choices on 9/3/93. Traded by Charlotte with David Wingate to the
Seattle SuperSonics for Kendall Gill on 6/27/95.

VINCENT ASKEW  G-F  6-6

A solidly built yet deceptively quick swingman, Vincent Askew came
into the NBA after a journey that included stints in both Italy and
the Continental Basketball Association. Before finding regular work
with the Golden State Warriors and then the Seattle SuperSonics, Askew
was the CBA's Most Valuable Player in both 1990 and 1991.  Askew
became part of a powerhouse Sonics team, providing both scoring and
defense off the bench. He increased his production in each of his
first three seasons in Seattle, topping out at 9.9 points per game in
1994-95.

Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (39th pick
overall) of the 1987 NBA Draft. Waived by the 76ers on
12/22/87. Played in the Continental Basketball Association with the
Savannah Spirits in 1987-88 and the Albany Patroons in 1988-89,
1989-90, and 1990-91. Signed as a free agent by the Washington Bullets
on 9/23/88. Waived by the Bullets on 10/12/88. Played in Italy in
1988-89 and 1992-93. Signed as a free agent by the Golden State
Warriors on 4/6/91. Signed as a free agent by the Sacramento Kings on
10/2/92. Traded by the Kings to the Seattle SuperSonics for a 1992
conditional second-round draft choice on 11/25/92.

NATE MCMILLAN  G  6-5

After a modest college career at North Carolina State, Nate McMillan
has endeared himself to connoisseurs of the game with his terrific
all-around play. Long-armed and surprisingly quick, McMillan is best
known for his defense, but he can fill up a box score and excels in
dozens of ways not measurable by statistics. Never a big-time scorer,
McMillan was named to the 1994 NBA All-Defensive Second Team after
leading the league in steals that season.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round (30th pick
overall) of the 1986 NBA Draft.

DAVID WINGATE  G-F  6-5

David Wingate has carved out a niche for himself in the NBA as a
reliable role player and steady defender. He was a member of the
legendary Dunbar High School team in Baltimore that featured Muggsy
Bogues, Reggie Lewis, and Reggie Williams, and he attended college at
Georgetown. In his sophomore season the Hoyas won the 1984 NCAA
Championship. He left college as the school's third all-time leading
scorer.

Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (44th overall
pick) of the 1986 NBA Draft. Traded by the 76ers with Maurice Cheeks
and Christian Welp to San Antonio for Johnny Dawkins and Jay Vincent
on 8/28/89. Waived by San Antonio on 6/28/91. Signed by Washington on
9/30/91. Signed as a free agent by Charlotte on 11/18/92. Traded by
Charlotte with Hersey Hawkins to Seattle for Kendall Gill on 6/27/95.

ERIC SNOW  G  6-3

A polished playmaker, Eric Snow was the perfect backcourt complement
to scoring sensation Shawn Respert at Michigan State. Snow finished
fourth in the nation in assists as a senior with 7.8 per
game. Respert, who was on the receiving end of many of Snow's passes,
finished eighth in the nation in scoring with 25.6 points per
game. Snow finished second on Michigan State's all-time assists list
behind NBA guard Scott Skiles and was the first player since Skiles
(1983-85) to lead the Spartans in assists for three straight
seasons. He also finished No. 7 on the school's all-time steals list
with 142.

Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (43rd pick
overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft. Snow's draft rights were traded by
Milwaukee to the Seattle SuperSonics for the draft rights to
Aurelijius Zukauskas and the middle of Seattle's second round picks in
1996 on 6/28/95.

II. My Selection

Brian Evans  SF  6-8  220lbs  Indiana (I have him ranked 26th overall)

Basically put, I'm taking the best player available approach.  With a
team that's deep in talent, and with a late 1st round pick, I feel
that you draft a player you can develop.


"Brian Evans is as difficult to guard as anybody I've seen in a long
time," said Kentucky coach Rick Pitino after Evans scored 28 points
vs. the Wildcats.  "He head fakes, head fakes, head fakes. You get
migraines trying to hold your feet. He got us up in the air."

As a senior, was only unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection by
both coaches and media. Led Big Ten in scoring and led team in scoring
23 times, in rebounding 17 times and in assists 12 times. Led team in
rebounding (7.1 rpg) and was second in assists (4.1 apg). Posted
season-high 32 points vs. Penn State. Had a double-double of 29 points
and 11 assists vs.  Michigan.

III. Others Considered

Joseph Blair  C-F  6-10 (have ranked 28th overall)
Travis Knight  C  7-0 (have ranked 31st overall)
Eric Gingold  C  7-4 (have ranked 34th overall)

I think you'll notice a pattern developing here.  Obviously, I'd like
to address the primary concern at Center, however that concern will
probably be addressed with the 2nd round pick.  1st round is for the
best talent, later picks are for filling holes, at least that's my
approach.  Ideally, I'd have liked either Lauderdale or Retzias,
however that was a longshot for them to drop down to the 28th spot
(had them ranked 21st & 22nd respectively).  I was not about to trade
up when a talented player like Evans was still available, since i know
that there will be Centers available for the 2nd round.

IV.  Who the team will probably take

The Sonics may look to trade up if they really want an international
player (Lauderdale or Retzias).  However, if they keep their pick the
28th ranked player (that I've got ranked) is Joseph Blair.  I think
they'll take the best available talent and address their center
situation (assuming they can't get one in the 1st round) with the 2nd
round pick.  Given the same circumstances that I was given, I think
they'd have also chosen Evans (jeeeeesh...no ego on my part huh?).


V.  Other moves that the team should make (In no particular order of
    importance)

1) RESIGN Hersey Hawkins, Ervin Johnson, Gary Payton, Sam Perkins
2) TRY to RESIGN Frank Brickowski, but if not...try to find a decent 3rd
   forward free agent
3) IF Vincent Askew declares himself a free-agent, don't break the bank
   re-signing him...and if you can't resign him replace him with a
   free-agent guard that specializes in defence
4) DRAFT the best player available....don't trade up, unless the right deal
   comes along
5) IF you can't draft a decent center....try the free-agent market