After ABL's demise, WNBA may shoot for team in every NBA city.

SEATTLE _ In the aftermath of the Seattle Reign's demise, Kate Starbird is consoling herself with an idealized vision of the future: A new franchise sprouting in Seattle under the auspices of the WNBA.

``I would love to come back to Seattle, and I think we could really start where we left off,'' said Starbird, the Reign's star guard. ``I would hope we would be able to keep some of the same players and some of the same fans attracted to what's going on. We could have a smooth transition, maybe.''

It may not be such a pipe dream. Although all parties that would be involved in acquiring a WNBA franchise _ the Sonics, Full House Sports and Entertainment, the Seattle Center, the Ackerley Group and the WNBA itself _ were noncommittal on Wednesday, there are indications that Seattle would be a prime location for the league if the WNBA decides to expand.

A Sonic source said the team is likely interested in pursuing a WNBA franchise. The source said that the idea has been discussed ``in abstract'' for the past six months and that the folding of the American Basketball League on Tuesday will put more focus on the subject.

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