Sonics, Wilcox nearing bitter end to negotiations

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.com