01:11 PM PDT on Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Associated Press

SEATTLE - The Seattle SuperSonics waived reserve guard Joseph Forte on Wednesday, ending a troubled relationship for both sides.

Forte was acquired by Seattle in a trade with Boston before last season. He played in just 17 games and averaged 1.7 points, often finding himself at odds with Sonics coach Nate McMillan.

McMillan declined comment Tuesday, saying the situation was being handled by general manager Rick Sund. When Forte was released from Monday's practice, Sund characterized the move as a basketball decision by the coaching staff.

Forte made news last season over a locker room scuffle with center Jerome James, and by refusing to accept a request by Sonics management to go on the injured list, saying he wasn't injured.

NBA teams often place seldom-used backups on the injured list to keep an additional player beyond the 12-man bench limit.

Last summer, Forte was ordered to participate in a dispute settlement in a misdemeanor assault case in North Carolina. He also faces a court date later this month in Maryland on marijuana and handgun possession charges.