Frank  Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports: Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said he would like to relinquish his ownership stake in the soon-to-be NBA champions and help build another team, possibly the Seattle SuperSonics, into a winner.

Johnson told The News Tribune his strong relationship with Sonics principal owner Howard Schultz makes Seattle an attractive destination.

"I'll tell you something, that has been my goal now, to build a franchise to a championship," said Johnson. "I'm on the top now (with the Lakers), and we are going to be on the top. But I would love to help Seattle ... come up and get to the top. That's what it's all about now, because I need challenges in my life. And that would be a challenge.

"I think that if I ever left the Lakers, it would have to be with somebody like Howard. I know he wants to win so bad. I think Howard is the best. You couldn't end up with a better owner because he is so competitive. That's why we are a natural fit."

Both Schultz and Johnson said they have not had substantive discussions about Johnson joining the organization, only talks along the lines of "what if." Schultz did say in a telephone interview on Monday he would love to have Johnson involved with the Sonics.

Johnson owns 5 percent of the Lakers, which was worth an estimated $403 million according to Forbes magazine in January, the most valuable franchise in the league.

If Johnson were to join Seattle, the Lakers would have to buy out his investment. Both Johnson and Schultz said Johnson would become a part owner of the Sonics. Forbes estimated the Sonics' value at $200 million, 18th in the league.

Also, both made it clear if Johnson were to become a part of the Sonics, he would not replace either CEO Wally Walker or general manager Rick Sund. He would assume another title that would emphasize his basketball knowledge and dynamic personality.

In a related note: Gary Payton's contract expires next summer, and the Sonics plan on pursuing free agents. Their main objective is New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd.

"Oh yeah, for sure," Johnson said when asked about Kidd being a good fit for the Sonics. "Howard has a relationship with him. I have a strong relationship. That's how you have to do it. It's got to be more than money. That's what people fail to realize in the game today. Because free agency is so huge today, relationships are what's going to do it."

So if most of the participating players are projected to be second round picks or rookie free agents, why does the entire NBA converge on the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago each summer? Ronald Tillery of Gomemphis.com reports that it is like a rumor-filled convention.  

There are going to be players that improve their position during the three-day camp, like Ryan Humphrey of Notre Dame. He scored 21 points on 9 of 10 shooting in only 23 minutes. J.R. Bremner of St. Bonaventure also turned heads by scoring 22 points (7 of 11) with five rebounds, four assists and no turnovers.

But the NBA execs aren?t there just to scout players for the upcoming draft, they are also there to talk about trades. Some of the whispers include the Sonics, Clippers, Bulls and Cavaliers.

Several league executives have been led to believe the Sonics are shopping forward Vin Baker. Seattle would love to move the underachieving, overpaid and often overweight Baker to the Eastern Conference. Baker is available because he and the club are convinced it's time for a change, especially following another season of discontent.

A notion that the Los Angeles Clippers would be willing to part with swingman Lamar Odom persists. Chicago general manager Jerry Krause and Clippers GM Elgin Baylor sat together during at least two games. Krause and Baylor pulled off a draft-day deal involving all-star forward Elton Brand a year ago.

The apparent availability of point guard Andre Miller has made Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson popular. The Cavs do not want to pay Miller the maximum contract he's seeking this summer. And there is talk of a scenario that would send Miller to Chicago for the No. 2 pick.

Meanwhile, as the "convention" winds down, the pre-draft conjecture has only just begun.