NoBonus
Starter
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003174081_soni04.html
Sonics, Wilcox nearing bitter end to negotiations
By Percy AllenSeattle Times staff reporter
The Sonics' negotiations with Chris Wilcox are likely to conclude Tuesday, when his Washington D.C.-based agent, Jeff Fried, meets with general manager Rick Sund in Seattle. However, the anticipated peaceful ending to a protracted contract dispute isn't on the horizon.
Reports nearly a week ago that the Sonics were on the verge of signing Wilcox to three-year, $24 million deal were false, according to Sund and Fried. Instead of a long-term deal, Wilcox, a restricted free agent, is expected to grudgingly sign a one-year tender worth $3.6 million that will enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The two sides reached an impasse over Wilcox's value at a June 3 meeting and little significant progress has been made in the past four weeks.
The Times has learned through an NBA source that the Sonics gave Wilcox the option of signing a five-year, $33 million deal or a six-year, $40 million deal.
Last year, Vladimir Radmanovic, a restricted free agent, declined a six-year, $42 million contract from the Sonics. It was believed that Seattle would make a similar offer to Wilcox. The Sonics, however, concluded that they were essentially bidding against themselves because only a handful of teams could offer Wilcox more than the maximum mid-level exception of five years and $30.2 million.
The two sides appeared to find common ground on a three-year deal. However, the Sonics continued to maintain that Wilcox is worth $6.6 million per season, and their offer is about $6 million less than his demands.
"A one-year deal, in our mind, is not a deal," Fried said. "One year, in our mind, left Chris with no alternatives." Fried has urged the Sonics to consider sign-and-trade scenarios, including a deal with Golden State. Nothing has materialized, however.
The bitter tenor of the negotiations has turned off Wilcox, who sought a six-year, $60 million deal comparable to what Denver gave Nene last month. Once considered one of the Sonics' building blocks, the lame-duck Wilcox may be on the trading block when the February trade deadline approaches.
The 23-year-old power forward averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and shot 59 percent from the field in 29 games for the Sonics last season. He joined Seattle Feb. 14 after a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers involving Radmanovic.
Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.comCopyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
Sonics, Wilcox nearing bitter end to negotiations
By Percy AllenSeattle Times staff reporter
The Sonics' negotiations with Chris Wilcox are likely to conclude Tuesday, when his Washington D.C.-based agent, Jeff Fried, meets with general manager Rick Sund in Seattle. However, the anticipated peaceful ending to a protracted contract dispute isn't on the horizon.
Reports nearly a week ago that the Sonics were on the verge of signing Wilcox to three-year, $24 million deal were false, according to Sund and Fried. Instead of a long-term deal, Wilcox, a restricted free agent, is expected to grudgingly sign a one-year tender worth $3.6 million that will enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The two sides reached an impasse over Wilcox's value at a June 3 meeting and little significant progress has been made in the past four weeks.
The Times has learned through an NBA source that the Sonics gave Wilcox the option of signing a five-year, $33 million deal or a six-year, $40 million deal.
Last year, Vladimir Radmanovic, a restricted free agent, declined a six-year, $42 million contract from the Sonics. It was believed that Seattle would make a similar offer to Wilcox. The Sonics, however, concluded that they were essentially bidding against themselves because only a handful of teams could offer Wilcox more than the maximum mid-level exception of five years and $30.2 million.
The two sides appeared to find common ground on a three-year deal. However, the Sonics continued to maintain that Wilcox is worth $6.6 million per season, and their offer is about $6 million less than his demands.
"A one-year deal, in our mind, is not a deal," Fried said. "One year, in our mind, left Chris with no alternatives." Fried has urged the Sonics to consider sign-and-trade scenarios, including a deal with Golden State. Nothing has materialized, however.
The bitter tenor of the negotiations has turned off Wilcox, who sought a six-year, $60 million deal comparable to what Denver gave Nene last month. Once considered one of the Sonics' building blocks, the lame-duck Wilcox may be on the trading block when the February trade deadline approaches.
The 23-year-old power forward averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and shot 59 percent from the field in 29 games for the Sonics last season. He joined Seattle Feb. 14 after a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers involving Radmanovic.
Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.comCopyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
Last edited by a moderator:
