Sonics ink Daniels

SEATTLE, July 20 (UPI) -- The Seattle Sonics have signed free agent guard Antonio Daniels, who also was sought by Orlando.

No terms were disclosed, but the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that the 6-4 Daniels is believed to have gotten $7.5 million over three years.

Daniels, a superb defender, has per game career averages of 7.1 points and 3.0 assists in 417 contests.

"I pride myself on the defensive on the end of the ball," Daniels told the paper. "We have a lot of guys who can put the ball in the hole, guys like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. But to win games, you have to stop the other team."

Last season for the Trail Blazers, Daniels, 28, who also has played for San Antonio and Vancouver, averaged career-low in both points (3.7) and minutes (13.0).

""He's a very efficient player who will add veteran leadership and depth to our backcourt," said General Manager Rick Sund.

Daniels was the fourth overall pick by the Grizzlies in the 1997 draft.