Shawn Kemp Moves On -- Reign Comes To An End -- Kemp Is A Cav, Baker Is A Sonic After 3-Way Deal

This one fits.

Sonic General Manager Wally Walker, hamstrung all summer by Shawn Kemp's trade demands, restricted by the NBA's salary-cap rules and mindful not to do anything he believes wouldn't benefit his team, yesterday triggered a stunning five-player, three-team trade.

In what he said "ranks among the biggest deals you can find," the Sonics acquired 6-foot-11 Vin Baker from Milwaukee and sent the disgruntled Kemp to Cleveland. The Cavaliers completed the trade troika by sending forward Tyrone Hill and guard Terrell Brandon and a conditional first-round pick to the Bucks for guard Sherman Douglas.

The Sonics' first game against Kemp will be in Cleveland on Jan. 8; Kemp's first game here as a Cav will be Jan. 17.

What matters to the Sonics is they brought in a player who averaged 21 points and 10.3 rebounds last season, which is about what Kemp delivered here. That was Walker's primary criterium, trading talent for similar talent.

His second priority was to bring in a player who had more than one year remaining on a contract. Baker, a three-time All-Star, has six years left on a 10-year deal but has an "out" clause he can exercise after the 1998-99 season. But because Baker would have two years with the same club at that time, NBA rules allow the Sonics to match any offer he might receive. It also gives the Sonics time to determine whether Baker works here. The 25-year-old enters his fifth NBA season, has never been to the playoffs and has had some difficulty with his past two coaches in Milwaukee, Mike Dunleavy and Chris Ford.

"From what I hear, the Milwaukee situation was more his disappointment at losing. It was directed at the losing and the attitude that it brings to your basketball team," Sonic Coach George Karl said.

Baker couldn't be reached for comment, but one of his advisors, Walt Luckett, said the power forward is "absolutely" excited about coming to Seattle. "You're talking about a team that went to the finals two years ago," he said. "He's looking forward to getting involved in it. He's a team player; he'll adjust. I think he likes the direction George Karl will give him."

The hidden benefit is that it provides addition by subtraction. Kemp's antics last season - missing team flights, being late for practices and meetings, uninspired play - may have worn on his teammates. The change could be positive for both.

"I said all last year that our failures were in our mental-health department and some in our physical health," Karl said. "When you try to become a champion, it comes down to mental toughness, your focus, your commitment and discipline. Because of distractions we had, whomever's fault they were, we weren't strong enough to overcome them."

Sonic guard Nate McMillan expressed relief that the Kemp stalemate has ended. "I'm just glad it's over," he said. "To me it's like the Detlef (Schrempf)-(Derrick) McKey trade, where you lose a close friend. You lose a good player. But then you get a good player in return. If we were going to trade for any other player in the league, I would have gone with Vin Baker."

McMillan said Kemp's refusal to speak with teammates would have made it difficult, if not impossible, to play for Seattle this season.

"When he didn't speak with any member of the team all summer, that made a statement," he said. "Me, him and Gary (Payton) have been together eight years. I didn't think we had anything to do with his negotiating problems. For him not to return calls all summer, I knew things would be different. He couldn't just come up to me when training camp started and explain why he didn't return my calls. I think he pushed it to a point of no return."

In making the deal, Walker had to consider how it affected the salary cap. He couldn't consider high-salaried players such as Chris Webber or Tom Gugliotta. Fortunately for the Sonics, Baker makes $3.7 million, within range of Kemp's $3.3 million.

Denver's Antonio McDyess was available but had just a year left on his deal. The club risked losing him after just one season.

Walker, who was not interested in anything Cleveland had to offer, said he talked to Milwaukee General Manager Bob Weinhauer on Tuesday and told him he was considering another undisclosed deal. That prompted Weinhauer to get Cleveland involved to work out the details on a three-way transaction.

Kemp, in turn, goes to one of the few teams below the salary cap, a team that can commit $9.5 million to signing him. The Cavs can rework his contract and give him the megadeal he desperately seeks.

"I can't deny that when the trade happened I was a little sad," Karl said. "I remember my first year with Shawn and where we've come. I don't think I'll coach many players better or as talented as Shawn Kemp. Even though we had some bumps in the road, we have a very respectful relationship."'

Seattle Times staff reporters Glenn Nelson and Les Carpenter contributed to this report.

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Vin Baker at a glance

Ht: 6 feet 11 Wt: 250 pounds Pos.: Power forward. Age: 25 College: Harford. Drafted: By Milwaukee Bucks, first round (eight overall pick) in 1993. Contract: Signed through 2003, but can exercise "out" clause and become a free agent after the 1999 season. Set to make $3.7 million next season. Last season: Made third All-Star appearance. Averaged 21.0 points and 10.3 rebounds. Career highlights: NBA all-rookie team 1994. NBA all-star '95, '96 and '97. Selected to the 1998 U.S. World Championship team.