If you can still stomach watching these games on TV, the last minute of the half was a pretty much a microcosm of how this season has gone for Seattle.

Down 65-47 with a chance to take the last shot, Earl Watson dribbled the clock down, drove right but was stripped by none other than University of Washington product Bobby Jones, who Memphis signed to a 10-day contract and started tonight in place of a sick Rudy Gay.

Jones raced down the other end, finished at the rim and was fouled by Watson on the other end. Jones made the foul shot, giving Memphis a 68-47 lead going into halftime.

A pretty pathetic effort by the Sonics, who seem less interested in the games as this road trip progresses. Some sort of shake up is obviously needed for this team to snap out of its January-long funk.

The team is going to take its lumps during this rebuilding process. That's expected. But they should compete against a team like Memphis, especially with a day off.

I talked to Wally Szczerbiak during shootaround today and he addressed some of the trade rumors swirling out there that have included his name. Here is what he had to say.

"I’ve been traded twice now. The first time it was a shock The last time it was a shock, too. And it’s always an adjustment with you’re family moving. I’m the type of guy that likes to get comfortable in the situation I’m in. And I’m starting to feel very comfortable here, and I’m starting to get my game back on track.

"Unfortunately as a team we’re not having much success. And at this time in my career that’s what I want. I want team success. So whatever happens, happens. I leave that up to the powers that be and I just try to got out there every night and do my job, and help this team win as many games as possible."

And on the possibility of being traded to a contending team at the February trade deadline Szczerbiak had this to say.

"That’s what it’s all about. You want to be on a winning team. You want to be in a situation where every game means something. And we still have an opportunity to make the playoffs, no question. Hopefully we can get on a run and get something going here. But at this point in my career I’d love to have an opportunity to win a championship. I’ve been to the playoffs. I’ve had a taste of that for many years and I want to get back to that point."

With the February trade deadline looming, Seattle point guards Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson's names have been involved in trade rumors.

The latest has the New York Knicks possibly interested in Ridnour, with guard Stephon Marbury opting to have surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle.

Also, ESPN's Chris Sheridan has Wally Szczerbiak as a potential person for the Sonics to trade before the deadline for expiring contracts because teams might be interested in adding another shooter.

Says Sheridan: "He (Szczerbiak) makes $12 million this season and $13 million next season, and he can still shoot it. If the Sonics could get him off their cap along with Earl Watson (two more years at $6.2M and $6.6M) in one fell swoop, they'd likely do it if they could get back expiring contracts and some kind of sweetener. Jason Williams, Dorell Wright and Ricky Davis for Wally and Watson is said to be in the works, by the way. And Miami could sweeten it with one or all of the three second-round picks it has in the upcoming draft (its own, Philadelphia's and Indiana's)."

The state Legislature has given the Sonics the stiff arm in the team’s effort to secure public funding for the new arena.

But the University of Washington, asking to use the same taxing source, has been received with open arms in its effort to secure $150 million in public funds for a revamped Husky Stadium that will cost $300 million.

So what gives? State House Speaker Frank Chopp boils it down to a couple key points: For Chopp, Washington is a local, public entity and the stadium will be used by student athletes who make no money, not a franchise owned by out-of-town folks in a sport played by millionaire ball players. Chopp said the improvements also are safety related.

Our columnist John McGrath writes about the situation here.

So what do you think? Do you agree with Chopp and his willingness to listen to and grant Washington’s request and not the Sonics? Did the Sonics drop the ball by not presenting a clear enough plan during last year’s session, and not clearly explaining how much they financially they were willing to commit? And how does this hurt the area’s effort to keep the team?

Also, the Sonic have asked for mediation and a March court date in the legal battle between the City of Seattle to get out of the lease. The city is asking for an October court date. Both agreed to a trial by judge.