Risk Adverse Summer?

With the disaster of last summer fading to memory (let it go) I have to wonder if the Sonics would look to have every loose end tied up before the start of next season. Last summer was short sighted: the coach left, 3 players took one year contracts and the roster was missing an able-bodied backup point guard. That mixed bag got them a fired coach, a horrible record, and all 3 players that had 1 year contracts traded by the time February came around.

What are the loose ends?
The coach is signed through next year.

Chris Wilcox is a restricted free agent. The restriction allows the Sonics to match any offer made to Wilcox by another team.

The backup point guard, Earl Watson, is one of the best defenders in the NBA at his position.

Point Guard Luke Ridnour and Power Forward Nick Collison are both eligible for contract their contracts extended this summer.

Every position on the roster has, or will have a player a contract that keeps them here for a little while, except Rashard Lewis. Lewis intends to exercise an option in his contract that allows him to be a free agent in the summer of 2007.

The questions are gravitating toward Rashard Lewis: Will the Sonics keep him, sign him to a new contract, or trade him?

The Sonics would like to keep him, but at what cost? Wilcox, Ridnour and Collison are all due for pay increases. Will there be enough money to go around? There's a risk that he will play next year and just leave.

The Sonics could sign him to a new contract, but is he worth more than the $10 million he will get paid next year? There's a risk that he be over-paid to play the next 4 years.

They could trade him for an unknown entity. Are there too many question marks on the team's roster now?

It's a lot to ponder, and then I remember that last year's second round pick Mickael Gelabale will be making his way over from France. Read his fan mail here (no, I'm not kidding): http://www.euroleague.net/noticia.jsp?temporada=E05&jornada=2&id=1473

Maybe the youth coming from France is enough change, hopefully the Sonics resolve their situation for the long term with Lewis. I'll guess that they will not risk the season next year without the Rashard Lewis question answered.