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Sonics at a Glance Coach: Nate MacMillan Last Year: 45-37 (Stats) Key Additions: PG Kenny Anderson, SG Joe Forte, C Vitaly Potapenko Key Losses: PF Vin Baker, PG Earl Watson, SG Shammond Williams Projected Starters PG Gary Payton SG Brent Barry SF Rashard Lewis PF Vladimir Radmanovic C Calvin Booth Key Subs PG Kenny Anderson SG Desmond Mason PF Peja Drobnjak C Jerome James

By John Hollinger, CNNSI.com

The Sonics were last year's quietly surprising team. While the Nets and, to a lesser extent, the Pistons got the headlines, Seattle stealthily went about the business of winning more games than anybody expected.

They did it with healthy doses of Gary Payton and a slew of talented wing players, and that will be their formula again this year. Brent Barry, Rashard Lewis, Desmond Mason and Vladimir Radmanovic give Seattle one of the league's top gangs of wingmen, and Nate MacMillan often plays three or even four of them at a time in his funky "smallball" lineups.

The Sonics did do some reshuffling this offseason. Most notably, Vin Baker was shipped out to Boston. The Sonics' record last year was far better when Baker didn't play, so it's no big loss, but they are a little short on size in the middle. They hope the return of Calvin Booth, who missed nearly all of last season with ankle problems, will solidify the interior.

Gary Payton, G -- Sure, he's getting up there in years, and the All-Defense selection was rather generous, but there is no question that Payton is among the game's elite point guards. He kills smaller guards by taking them down low and is fantastic at working the pick-and-roll.

But his greatest asset is the simple variety of his skills. He can hit the 3-pointer, he spots the open man, and he's outstanding in transition. There's hardly any facet of his game that can be pointed out as below average or needing improvement, and that's why he's such a consistent and effective threat.

Seattle will need Payton to be healthy and happy if the team is going to be successful this year. The first part may be easier. Payton's contract runs out at the end of the season, and the Sonics have yet to offer an extension. Given Payton's volatility, the situation is a powder keg, and the fuse could be lit any day now.

Vladimir Radmanovic, PF -- The Sonics were a poor defensive team last year, and their lack of quality size was a key reason. Radmanovic doesn't have the athleticism or strength to deal with all the stud power forwards in the Western Conference, but he will nonetheless be thrust into that role this season, with an occasional assist from Rashard Lewis or Peja Drobnjak.

Radmanovic shot the ball well as a rookie, but as an NBA starter he is not a potent offensive threat. He was mostly a catch-and-shoot perimeter player last season who relied on Brent Barry and Gary Payton to generate shots for him. The Sonics are counting on him to round out his game this year and make their power forward slot respectable at both ends of the floor.

Will Calvin Booth deliver?

Once reason the Sonics could be better than last year is Calvin Booth. The wiry center was lured from Dallas before last season, but Seattleites saw Booth play about as often as they see the sun.

When healthy, Booth is perhaps the best shot-blocker in the game, with good quickness and outstanding timing. Unlike a lot of shot-blockers, he also has an offensive game. He's a fairly skillful passer and can get putbacks around the basket, has a passable mid-range jumper and makes foul shots. He's not a guy who can post up and doesn't rebound terribly well, but he is much more of a threat than Jerome James or Peja Drobnjak.

That, of course, assumes he's 100 percent healthy. Booth has played only 81 games in his three-year NBA career, and last year's recurring ankle problems don't bode well for the coming season. With Baker gone, the Sonics' hopes of building on last year's success depend on Booth.

Second-tier contender

Fast Facts • The Sonics led the league in shooting at 46.9 percent. • Brent Barry was the league's only player to attempt more than 200 3-pointers and still shoot over 50 percent from the field. He hit at a .508 clip despite attempting nearly half of his shots from behind the arc.

The Sonics' offensive arsenal will keep things exciting, and the trade of Baker means they'll stop wasting time trying to get their money's worth out of his ridiculous contract. Young players like Radmanovic, Drobnjak, Lewis and Desmond Mason should be improved this year, and the return of Booth should make the interior defense much tougher.

The main question is the status of Payton's contract extension, but that issue may be resolved by opening day. Overall, if they they can get 60 games out of Calvin Booth, the Sonics are better than any team in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, they play in the West, which means they'll be just another faceless 50-win team that gets crushed by the Lakers and Kings.