Wilcox’s price tag going up
SEATTLE – With every thunderous dunk, soft 8-foot jump hook and one-handed rebound he rips down in traffic, the dollar amount of Chris Wilcox’s next contract continues to go on the rise.
And the SuperSonics know it.
“As good as he’s played, he has a lot more potential,” Seattle coach Bob Hill said. “His upside is huge.”
Stuck at the end of the Los Angeles Clippers bench two months ago, Wilcox has thrived since being traded to Seattle on Feb. 14 in exchange for Vladimir Radmanovic.
In Sunday’s win over Phoenix, Wilcox posted his fourth straight double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. Not coincidentally, Seattle won its season-high fourth consecutive game.
Since coming over from the Clippers, Wilcox is averaging 15 points and eight rebounds, shooting 61 percent and playing a career-high 30 minutes per night.
Wilcox will be a restricted free agent in the off-season. Seattle general manager Rick Sund has already said Wilcox is the team’s top priority in the off-season. Sund plans to make a qualifying offer to Wilcox when the collective-bargaining agreement allows, giving the Sonics the right to match any offers Wilcox might receive on the open market.
The Sonics hope to reach a long-term deal with the 23-year-old, something they couldn’t do last off-season when Radmanovic turned down a six-year, $42 million deal.
“It’s a huge decision for me. Hopefully the Sonics do the right thing and bring me back,” Wilcox said. “I think I can help this team win games and I think I fit in with the chemistry.”
Wilcox has taken advantage of opportunities since arriving here. He’s started the last 16 games after Nick Collison went down with a left foot injury, upping his scoring and rebounding during the stretch.
The last four games have been his most impressive. Wilcox started April with 18 points and 13 rebounds against Portland. Two nights later, Wilcox dominated Yao Ming on the interior, scoring 26 and pulling down a career-high 24 rebounds versus the Rockets.
He had a workmanlike 20 points and 10 rebounds against Portland last Friday before helping Seattle knock off the Pacific Division champion Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Monday, Wilcox was named player of the week in the Western Conference.
“This is the most I’ve ever played; the biggest opportunity I’ve had to play,” Wilcox said. “It’s a great feeling for me. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
Wilcox has exceeded expectations, and brought a positive attitude to a Seattle locker room that was drab with disgruntled players earlier in the season. Since Feb. 28, when Wilcox and Earl Watson have been in the lineup together, the Sonics are 12-7.
“(Wilcox) brought a lightful-type attitude to the situation trying to figure out how he’s going to fit it,” Seattle’s Ray Allen said. “Earl gave us the same thing. … By having those two guys, it’s made us better.”
Coming out of Maryland after his sophomore season, Wilcox was the No. 8 pick in the 2002 draft, but found himself stuck behind Elton Brand in Los Angeles and never was a right fit for the Clippers’ system.
He was playing just 13 minutes per game with the Clippers this season, but had suitors in the Sonics, Suns and Golden State.
Seattle won the bidding, much to the chagrin of the Western Conference.
“He’s a heck of a player. We definitely had some interest earlier in the year,” Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni said. “The price was right then. Now the price probably won’t be right.”