Kemp Airs Trade Demands, Says Sonic Atmosphere Wrong

CHICAGO - Shawn Kemp told ESPN today that he will never play with the Sonics again and that "his relationship is over" with the team.

"When that last game was over, I knew it was my last game in that uniform," Kemp told ESPN's David Aldridge in a 45-minute interview taped here this morning. "There is no positive outlook about Shawn Kemp in Seattle. When that name is mentioned, it brings nothing but negativity. There's no basis for a relationship to be built on. The relationship is over."

Part of the interview is expected to be aired sometime during the cable network's hourlong "SportsCenter" show at 3:30, 8 and 11 p.m. PDT today. The interview originally was scheduled for yesterday but was changed because Kemp missed a flight here from Seattle.

It is the first time Kemp has spoken publicly on the matter since he told The Times in April that he would seriously consider asking for a trade after the season ended.

Kemp said he is ready to severe his ties with Seattle.

"It's been so negative there in the city over the last couple of years," Kemp said. "It would have been impossible for me to be in that situation again. I would never let myself go back there to play another 82-game season in Seattle. I think the team deserves better and the fans deserve better. I think it's time for us to get a new start."

Kemp insists he is not jealous of guard Gary Payton's status on the team.

"I don't have a problem with a fact that now the Sonics are considered Gary Payton's team," he said. "His talents have definitely risen in last few years, and he deserves the opportunity to be that franchise player. I also think that I have proved myself."

Payton signed a seven-year contract worth $87 million during the offseason and Kemp just finished the second year of a seven-year deal that pays him about one-third of what his teammate and fellow NBA all-star makes. Kemp will make $3.5 million next season.

According to the NBA collective-bargaining agreement, the Sonics can't talk to Kemp until Oct. 8 and even then could only add another year to his contract, giving him a balloon payment in his final year of $17.52 million.

But Kemp said salary isn't the only issue.

"The money is a very non-important factor to myself. Money means a lot of respect. It means a lot of accomplishment and a lot of hard work. I will be Shawn Kemp regardless of whether I have money or not. The only thing money does is show who you are. . . ."

Sonic President Wally Walker said he has not been allowed to meet with Kemp and still wants to talk directly to him.

"I don't think much is different from what we've been saying for the last couple weeks," he said. "I certainly do not agree with some of the things Shawn said. But the only thing I can do is talk directly to him about it. I'd love to have a conversation with him so we can address things. From what I heard he said, some of those things are not the way we operate at all. And if we can't address those things, there will continue to be misunderstandings.

Coach George Karl has said the same thing. "I want to look him in the eye and ask him why," he said.

Added Walker, "I still think it's a win-win scenario for Shawn to continue to play for Seattle. It doesn't sound like he's of that mind right now."

Kemp was the hot topic at the NBA Pre-Draft camp here this week.

While some say a trade is necessary, Los Angeles Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said: "I don't look at it that way. I think when something bad happens to a franchise, it could be me next time. You have to keep those things from happening.

"It's really the player who's stuck, not the club," he said. "I would try to make him as happy as possible, but I wouldn't want to trade a guy like that.

"I mean, (Chicago's) Scottie Pippen has faced this same situation. He has lived with it and has four championship rings."

One general manager said this week that the Sonics will never get significant value for Kemp.

Former Sonic assistant Bob Kloppenburg, who was in Chicago for the annual predraft camp, agreed. "It's going to be hard to get his real value in return," he said. "He's a premier player."

Fitch conceded that Kemp's mind might not be changed. But he said that then Kemp needs to consider the reality of the situation.

"If he looks around, it's going to be hard for him to find a team that can win and where he can be happy," Fitch said. "The problem is, with a guy like that, if he's unhappy at one place, he'll find a reason to be unhappy someplace else."