Christie To Sonics: NBA Or Just B.A.?

Doug Christie wants to get on with his life, with or without the Seattle SuperSonics.

Christie, the Rainier Beach High grad drafted by the Sonics with the 17th pick last June, said he will wait until Tuesday for the Sonics to sign him or trade his rights.

At a news conference yesterday, Christie said if neither occurs, he will return to Pepperdine University and complete his bachelor's degree while waiting to re-enter the draft in 1993.

"I want to play basketball. If the Sonics don't want me, they should trade my rights to another team," Christie said "I don't think they should hold me back. I want to get on with my life."

Christie and his agent, Seattle attorney Brad Marshall, set Tuesday as the deadline because the Sonics have until then to use a $500,000 salary cap exception.

Sonics President Bob Whitsitt is traveling with the team in Japan and could not be reached for comment yesterday. Before the team left, he said he had not talked to Marshall for a couple weeks and would not be able to meet with Marshall until he returns.

"As of right now, there is no offer on the table for Christie," Whitsitt said Monday. "Right now, all we can offer him is $190,000 a season," the league minimum for first-round picks. That's the same salary the Sonics guaranteed free-agent signee Gerald Paddio.

Christie and his agent said they have lowered their salary request from $800,000 to $500,000 for the first season, with 30-percent yearly increases in successive years.

"We know Bob Whitsitt wants a win-win situation, but no one wins every time," Marshall said. "We just want a contract that's fair to Doug."

Marshall said he and Christie would not comment again until after Tuesday, unless Christie signs or his rights are traded.