Joseph

Forte

Seattle allowed Forte to come to the first three days of camp even though they knew he was not going to make the team after last season when he displayed multiple examples of insubordination. They were hoping he could be included in the deal that sent Predrag Drobnjak to the Clippers, or that he would agree to be bought out of his contract. Neither happened, so the Sonics will pay Forte’s $1.1 million salary, and the guard will have a chance to catch on somewhere else.

Clouding his future is that Forte is facing charges of misdemeanor assault this month and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of a handgun in October. The Sonics aren’t very interested in keeping him around, but they’d prefer to trade his contract rather than release him.

The Sonics have not yet officially waived Forte, but only because they are waiting to see if they can either trade him.

Forte was pulled over Thursday afternoon and arrested after a trooper smelled marijuana and searched his car, Washington state police said Friday. Small plastic bags and containers holding 20.6 grams of marijuana were found, along with a .22-caliber pistol. A July 10 trial date was scheduled.

Forte is already facing drug and weapons charges in Maryland a week ago. There’s a good chance the Sonics will release the 2001 first-round pick this summer, eating the remaining season on his contract.

GM Rick Sund did not provide any details about the conduct that led to the penalty. Forte will miss Friday’s game against the Grizzlies. He will return to the team for Saturday’s practice.

It is believed that Forte was suspended because of a locker-room altercation with Jerome James. He’ll be back at practice on Saturday.