Finger injury puts Chris Wilcox out for season

A troublesome right pinkie forced Chris Wilcox to end the season prematurely.

The Sonics forward considered staying in the lineup, but after receiving a second opinion from a hand specialist and talking with his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and team officials on Thursday, Wilcox chose to sit out the final 10 games.

"The decision has been made to rest the injury and allow for the proper recuperation and rehabilitation to avoid further damage," general manager Sam Presti said. "We are disappointed that we will be without Chris the remainder of the season but look forward to having him back healthy next year."

Wilcox originally suffered the injury in the first quarter of the game at Phoenix on Jan. 3 and missed four games. He returned wearing a protective bandage, but re-aggravated the injury in the first half against the Suns on March 19.

After playing in every game last season and starting 81, Wilcox appeared in just 62 this season. He averaged 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds, which are slightly lower than his averages last season.

Wilcox, who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2009, said he would like to reach a deal on a contract extension before training camp, but it's unclear if the team will negotiate.

Two years ago, he had hoped to sign a five-year, $62 million deal before settling on a three-year, $24 million contract that was described as a "win-win deal" by his former agent, Jeff Fried, and former general manager Rick Sund, who negotiated the contract.

Seemingly, Wilcox's production has hit a plateau in the past two seasons, but many believe the 6-foot-10 forward who turns 26 in September has yet to reach his potential.

"The thing you got to understand about Chris is we don't run a lot of plays for Chris and if we do it might be at the most five to seven times a game," guard Earl Watson said. "He plays hard. He contributes in a number of ways, and his upside is amazing.

"Chris is young enough that he's one of the guys that you should build around."

The Sonics, who face Charlotte tonight at KeyArena, are in the early stages of a major rebuilding project with rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green as the foundation. Presti has said no one is guaranteed of being on the roster next season, and Wilcox could become expendable after the June 26 draft.

Seattle (17-55) has the second-worst record in the NBA and depending upon its luck in the May 20 draft lottery, it could land a high pick and select Kansas State's Michael Beasley, UCLA's Kevin Love or Oklahoma's Blake Griffin.

Nick Collison, who collected a career-tying 21 rebounds on Wednesday, will start in place of Wilcox.

Open to expansion?

During a conference call Thursday, NBA commissioner David Stern didn't rule out the possibility of Seattle receiving an expansion team if team chairman Clay Bennett moves the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

"In light of the swirling events and the continuing litigation and the to-and-fro with respect to the Sonics, I'd like to take the opportunity to impose a gag on myself and allow speculation to grow in whatever way is constructive," he said. "The one thing I would say is that we'd like to make it clear that the Sonics' proposed move is not a question of fan support, but an issue of arena capability and the path by which we got to the place where they ... proposed or applied to move.

"But I think that our history speaks for itself, and depending upon the circumstances under which we depart cities — that has something to do with our ability and willingness and speed in returning."

Stern said the league's relocation committee will favorably recommend Bennett's proposal to the Board of Governors, and history suggests the NBA owners will not stand in his way. Two of the past three relocation applications received unanimous approval, and the other passed 28-1.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com