SEATTLE--The Seattle Supersonics, in the midst of an 0-7 start that is the worst in franchise history, officially started the rebuilding process yesterday by unloading star shooting guard Kevin Durant to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract, Randy Foye, Gerald Green and two number one picks.

Seattle GM Sam Presti admitted the Durant era had been “a failure.”

“It’s unfortunate that we were never able to build a winner here during the Kevin Durant era,” said Presti, who took over the job in June. “We tried to surround him with championship-caliber talent, but at 0-7, we obviously failed to do that. We want to thank Kevin for his services and wish him the best of luck in Minnesota. Hopefully the change of scenery will do him good.”

After the Sonics lost their first three games of the season, there were whispers that Durant’s days in Seattle where numbered. By the time the team had lost its seventh straight game, Presti was already on the phone accepting offers for the franchise player.

According to league sources, the straw that broke the camel’s back was Durant’s listless 7 for 20 shooting performance against the Detroit Pistons.

“After that it was clear to everybody that it was time for the Sonics and Kevin Durant to part ways,” said the source. “Durant was clearly unmotivated during his final days in Seattle and the Sonics were tired of watching him come up short all the time. Still, I think they should have held onto him a little longer. A lot of players experience a career resurgence once they hit the age of 20.”

Durant may not be the only Sonics player to be traded as part of the rebuilding process. Rumors abound that Jeff Green and guard Delonte West could be on the block as well.

“These guys are all associated with the failed October-November 2007 era, and Presti might want to clean house,” the source said. “I could see Green and West packaged in a deal for Al Horford or maybe even Corey Brewer and an expiring contract. That would give the Sonics a strong young nucleus along with some money to sign free agents. It might be a little ugly for a while, but they’re moving to Oklahoma City, and those people don’t know what the hell they’re watching anyway.”

While some blame the team’s failures on Presti, others are laying the blame on Durant, who was never able to put his team on his back and lead them to a title. Coach P.J. Carlesimo, however, refused to criticize the youngster, pointing out that he didn’t “have time” to lead his team to a title.

“It’s unfair to blame Kevin for our failure to win a championship during his tenure here,” said Carlesimo. “Sure he deserves some of the blame, but he was only here for seven games, and that’s not enough time to win a title. Am I making excuses? No, but you can’t call the kid a failure when he hasn’t even played a full season. You can call him one after a few years in Minnesota, though, because that’s where careers go to die.”

Copyright 2007, The Brushback - Do not reprint without permission. This article is satire and is not intended as actual news.