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Nate McMillan

However, the annual meeting is more about looking ahead than looking back, and there are plenty of difficult decisions on the horizon for the Sonics as they enter a summer in which nine of their players are expected to become free agents, while the contracts of McMillan and Sund are also set to expire.

With McMillan finishing third in Coach of the Year voting and Sund's name mentioned for Executive of the Year, both have improved their bargaining positions this season.

"Both Rick and Nate have done a great job and rightfully have a strong reputation within the league. We'll get calls and requests, and we're not anxious while they're under contract with us to have a bidding war." Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty

"What we did say to management, who are in a different situation than players, and the coaching staff, was, 'Hey, let's go have a great season and sit down after the year and talk about contracts then, hoping that you've got a lot of leverage,' said Walker.

"Guess what? They do. It worked out for them."

After meeting with the coaching staff tomorrow, McMillan intends to take the rest of the week off to relax and evaluate his position, an annual tradition. Next weekend, he expects to speak with agent Lonnie Cooper and have Cooper begin negotiations with Walker shortly thereafter. Talks on a new deal for Sund will continue as well.

With McMillan and Sund still under contract for the time being, the Sonics will not grant permission to other teams to speak with them.

"Until we have a discussion, we're not going to grant requests," said Walker. "We expect there will be some for the right reasons - both Rick and Nate have done a great job and rightfully have a strong reputation within the league. We'll get calls and requests, and we're not anxious while they're under contract with us to have a bidding war until we've had a discussion. We'll be fair; if we can't come to an agreement after a period of time, we don't want to prevent them from looking at other opportunities either."

The third key piece of the Sonics core up for an extension is guard Ray Allen, one of the team's free agents. No talks are currently scheduled between the Sonics and Lon Babby, Allen's agent, but Walker expects them to begin soon.

"Ray said on Friday that he'd be open to discussions going forward to the June 30 day before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires," said Walker, who explained the impetus for getting a deal done with Allen before he becomes a free agent July 1 (barring a lockout).

"Because we want to get him signed. Nothing more complicated than that. Given what he did in the postseason, I guess this is stating the obvious - we'd like to get it done to have it done."

Beyond Allen, up to nine other Sonics players could be free agents. Guard Ronald "Flip" Murray and forwards Reggie Evans, Vladimir Radmanovic and Damien Wilkins are restricted free agents, giving the Sonics the opportunity to potentially match offers made to them by other teams. Guard Mateen Cleaves and center Jerome James and Vitaly Potapenko are restricted free agents. Guard Antonio Daniels and center Danny Fortson can opt out of their contracts and become free agents, something Daniels is expected to do.

"Ray Allen wants to come back," said McMillan. "Antonio Daniels wants to come back. All those guys feel the organization is headed in the right direction, and they want to come back. So we'll see if they are willing to negotiate with Wally and management to stay here."

The Sonics coach provided some insight into his thinking going into the summer when asked whether he feels the Sonics core is good enough to win a championship.

" Given what he did in the postseason, I guess this is stating the obvious - we'd like to get it done to have it done." Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty

"I like our chances if we're healthy," said McMillan. "Maybe strengthen the bench a little more; I think you may see some changes. But if you can get this group back, which is going to be difficult to do, yeah. I think that the core (is in place). When I say core I'm talking about Luke (Ridnour) and Nick (Collison) and Vlade and Rashard Lewis, along with Ray Allen."

Financially, the Sonics should have the ability to bring that core back if they so choose. While a budget cannot be determined until negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement are completed this summer, Walker indicated the Sonics have no plans to cut payroll.

"What we have decided is that the best solution for our financial challenges is to compete well, compete for titles and win games," he said. "We're going to get ourselves in better position by upping the revenue line as opposed to cutting costs."

Walker also said the Sonics will not necessarily be counting on a hometown discount from their own free agents, while acknowledging that the success and chemistry the team has enjoyed should help bring players back.

"We'll be fair," said Walker. "I don't know if it's the most money, but what I think we'll offer is a fair contract and what we believe is a great situation, a great city."

There are some difficult, and perhaps unpopular, decisions ahead for the Sonics in the coming month. All things considered, however, it's a good problem to have.

"When your team doesn't go well and you have a bunch of contracts that are coming due (not counting management and coaches), it's considered good cap planning," said Walker. "If your team goes well, you get the reaction, as we historically have, 'What the heck were you thinking to have all these contracts come up at once?'"