Patterson suspended 5 games for rape plea
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LONG BEACH, Calif. — The NBA has suspended Sonics free agent Ruben Patterson five games next season for his modified-guilty plea to third-degree attempted rape.
Patterson will be able to play in preseason games but must miss the first five games of the regular season without pay.
On May 15 in Seattle's King County Superior Court, the 6-foot-5 forward entered an Alford plea of guilty for forcing his nanny to perform oral sex. An Alford plea is one in which a defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges he likely would be convicted if the case went to trial.
Sonics owner Howard Schultz has indicated Seattle won't re-sign Patterson because of the conviction. Patterson, who sold his Bellevue home, must register as a sex offender if he remains in Washington.
Patterson wanted to fight the charges after maintaining the sexual act was consensual. But the fourth-year player heeded the advice of his agent, Dan Fegan, who had polled NBA teams that said they wouldn't negotiate during a trial.
Last week, Seattle gave Patterson a qualifying offer, which makes him a restricted free agent. But the move was necessary for the team to sign and trade Patterson to get value in return.
The Dallas Mavericks have been the first team to publicly acknowledge interest in acquiring Patterson.
"We like Ruben's ability on the court, but of course have concerns off," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said last week. "He is one of several players we are interested in. I think, like all teams, we are waiting for the dominos to fall to see where players start to land."
Nunyo Demasio can be reached at 206-515-5699 or ndemasio@seattletimes.com.