$20 Million for Benjamin Is Reported

Going against his original intention to become the first prominent center to test the market as an unrestricted free agent, Benoit Benjamin signed a five-year contract extension Tuesday with Seattle, the same day the SuperSonics also completed a new deal with Ricky Pierce.

The 26-year-old Benjamin, traded from the Clippers to the SuperSonics Feb. 20 for Olden Polynice and two first-round draft choices, will reportedly get $20 million on a contract that runs through the 1995-96 season.

That would make him the second-highest paid center in the NBA on average salary per season behind New York’s Patrick Ewing. Akeem Olajuwon has a 12-year, $30-million deal with Houston,and David Robinson earns $26 million over eight years with San Antonio.

As late as Feb. 19, Benjamin and the Clippers were discussing a new contract, although Benjamin called a news conference and, in a contradiction, said there were no negotiations and that he planned to become a free agent. A day later, he was traded.

Benjamin, who will make between $1.6 million and $2 million this season depending on incentives earned, said he turned down a $16-million offer from the Clippers.

“I’ve always admired (Seattle Coach) K.C. (Jones) because he’s won wherever he’s been,” Benjamin said Tuesday in explaining his decision to sign. “This is my chance to be part of a team that has a chance of winning a championship.”

Pierce, acquired from Milwaukee last month for Dale Ellis, signed for a reported $6 million over three seasons.

Seattle had a five-game winning streak snapped in an overtime home loss to Cleveland Tuesday night, but the SuperSonics are 5-2 since Benjamin arrived and 6-4 with Pierce.

Heading into play Tuesday, Pierce ranked 14th in the NBA in scoring, fifth in free-throw percentage and 10th in three-point shooting. Benjamin was ninth in blocked shots and was averaging 11.8 rebounds.