<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Contrary to published reports, the Sonics have no intention of trading Ray Allen, their leading scorer and co-captain, and are working on a deal that will keep him in Seattle through the 2009-10 season. General manager Rick Sund began conversations with Allen's agents about a five-year contract extension that could pay the four-time All-Star shooting guard as much as $100.5 million. Sund characterized the discussions as "philosophical talks" that both sides intend to use as a guideline for what could be a lengthy and potentially cantankerous negotiation process. Allen's agent, Lon Babby, is expected to fly to Seattle in two weeks to meet with the Sonics and exchange contract proposals. "We're hopeful we can sit down and talk with Ray and get some type of extension done before next season," said Sund, who added there's no timetable. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Sonics are willing to commit more than $70 million to Allen, who turned 29 last month, but the team is unsure if he's deserving of a maximum contract ($100.5 million). Thirty-one of the roughly 410 players in the NBA have maximum contracts, but that number is dwindling as teams become more cost conscious. Since the 2003-04 season concluded, free agents have collected close to $1 billion, but no one other than Kobe Bryant has been given a maximum deal that compares to what Allen could receive. "You're going to see less and less of those $100 million contracts being thrown around," said a Western Conference GM. "Unless you're one of the handful of guys competing for the MVP (award), then (teams) have to ask themselves, is he worth it?"</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
