The Seattle Bobcats...I Mean, Sonics?

Watching the Seattle Sonics get torn apart, stripped down, and sold off like cattle was a tough thing for many Seattleites to endure. 

Boston Celtics fans should be thanking Seattle for their title since we gave away G Ray Allen for the No. 5 pick and two guys who are currently contributing to the Cavaliers' NBA Finals bid (Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak).

Without Allen, there would be no Kevin Garnett and no big three. Without the Sonics, the Cavaliers may not be where they are, given the fantastic depth we gave away to them.

We also get to watch F Rashard Lewis shooting dimes and winning games for his Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.

We got a trade exception for Lewis, although that did parlay into a grand total of three first round picks and C Kurt Thomas, who was traded to acquire one of the first rounders. 

Two of those players are not even with the team right now, with Serge Ibaka playing in Europe. The team will have essentially traded Rashard Lewis for DJ White and whoever they decide to draft with the 25th pick. 

How would the 2009 NBA Playoffs look if the Sonics had not sold off all the good pieces to their team?

When the Sonics won the rights to draft Kevin Durant, they could have potentially had a trio of Allen, Lewis, and Durant.

That's a core that could make it to the playoffs consistently.

But that's besides the point, because news has finally broken that can shine at least a ray of hope in the rainy city.

The Charlotte Bobcats are for sale.

After the city of Seattle caved in for a small sum of cash they might not ever see ($30 million) there is a chance for sweet redemption.

The Bobcats currently reside in the 24th largest market, hardly a truly attractive venue.

Seattle comes in as the 10th largest, and is a birthplace of many household names, including Microsoft.

Microsoft would play a large role in the affair because if any deal is to go down it would most likely be at the expense of CEO Steve Balmers' pocket book. 

After putting a good faith measure to save the Sonics, Balmer has a chance to land a team after only one year, perhaps at a discount. 

Forbes lists the Bobcats' net worth at $284 million, second lowest in the league. 

Owner Bob Johnson purchased the team for $300 million. An already existent decline could leave the buyer with some leverage. 

Maybe a good bargain will light a fire under Seattle city leaders a#&*s to get a new arena deal done. Or even just fix up the Key Arena, something that already needs to be done, and should have already gotten done without the threat of the Sonics leaving.

The team has a solid nucleus that could be built around and turned into a perennial playoff contender within time. 

The starting five include:

PG Raymond Felton, C Emeka Okafor, PF Boris Diaw, SG Raja Bell, and SF Gerald Wallace. 

With the well-known free agency period of 2010 soon approaching, many superstars are going to be able to hit the market, Some of which include:

F LeBron James, G Dwayne Wade, C Amare Stoudemire, G Paul Pierce, C Tyson Chandler, G Ray Allen, G Many Ginobili, F Richard Jefferson, G Joe Johnson, C Yao Ming, G Steve Nash, F Chris Bosh, F Dirk Nowitski, G Michael Redd, and G Tracy McGrady.

Not all will hit the open market but it will be one of the, if not the best, FA classes seen in the history of the NBA. 

They also hold the 12th pick in the NBA Draft and could add a starter to the fray.

It would certainly be an about face of sports fortunes for the city of Seattle.

The Sounders are currently tied for the second best ranking in MLS with 15 points.

The Mariners have improved and are playing sub .500 ball with a 20-23 record (61-101 in 2008) while having absolutely no offense.

The Seahawks had a terrific offseason and look to regain the perch on top of the NFC West after missing the postseason for the first time in five years in 2008. 

Getting a young talented team, at a discount, with the ability to add some outstanding players, would be quite a tempting catch.

I say if the opportunity truly presents itself, go for it Seattle, get it done, and let's stick it in the face of Clay Bennett while his team rots down in Oklahoma City for years to come.