Sonics fire coach Hill, remove Sund as GM after 31-51 campaign

Hill said he hoped to return to coaching in the NBA.

"I think for me the last two years have been great. I got to do what I loved to do," he told The News Tribune of Tacoma. "The NBA can be thankless and unforgiving, but I don't disagree with his decision. He should go in a different direction. I am all for it."

Hill's efforts to impress Bennett failed largely because of debilitating injuries. Robert Swift, expected to be Seattle's starting center, was lost for the season during an October exhibition game. Leading scorer Ray Allen was bothered by bone spurs in his ankles for much of the season and missed the final 16 games after opting for surgery. Rashard Lewis, who can become a free agent, was out 22 games with a hand injury.

Hill, who previously coached in New York, Indiana and most successfully in San Antonio, took over for Bob Weiss in the middle of last season and went 22-30 in his first pro head coaching job since 1996. Seattle closed last season 14-11 after Sund made moves to acquire Earl Watson and Chris Wilcox, earning Hill a contract extension and bolstering hopes for this season.

But there was little carry-over and the Sonics finished with the fifth-worst record in the NBA, losing 22 games by six points or less. Seattle also had a franchise record 15-game road losing streak that stretched from Thanksgiving to nearly Valentine's Day.

Sund, who began his NBA management career in the mid-1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks, was hired in 2001, and criticized in recent seasons for drafting unproven teenage centers three straight seasons, two with lottery picks.

Whoever replaces Hill will become Seattle's third coach since Nate McMillan left for Portland after the 2004-05 season. Experienced options are available, including former Sacramento coach Rick Adelman, former Sonics assistant and Minnesota coach Dwane Casey and former Milwaukee coach Terry Porter.

Even Sonics players felt moves were coming.

"I think this team is going to make a lot of changes," Watson said last month about his future. "One thing I've learned about the NBA is you can't comment about what-ifs."