Bennett plans to keep Sonics in Seattle

When Seattle owner Clay Bennett confirmed last week that he had no intention of filing potential relocation papers with the NBA office, it came as a relief to Sonics fans, knowing the team would be in the Pacific Northwest for at least one more season.

It also eased the concerns of his players.

With a proposal for a new arena gaining little support in the state Legislature, some players were starting to wonder about their future in Seattle.

“It means a lot to us as players that at least going into next year we have certainty of where we’re going to be,” said All-Star Ray Allen. “You know for another year you’re going to be comfortable.”

Bennett has maintained that the Sonics intend on honoring their lease at KeyArena, which runs through the 2010 season. But his $350 million purchase agreement of the Sonics and WNBA Storm allows him to move the teams if plans for a new arena in the southeastern suburb of Renton aren’t approved by Oct. 31.