If Wilcox Signs for One Year, Collison will Cash in

Today in the Seattle Times Percy Allen reports that Wilcox is likely going to sign the one year, Qualifying Offer, of 3.6 million dollars.

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." Percy Allen, Seattle Times...
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. - P. Allen

It's hard to say that the rumor was wrong at the time it was said, and things may have just changed in a week. Well, it wasn't even a week ago when Percy Allen reported this:

With trade proposals from at least three teams still on the table, the Sonics may be nearing an end to negotiations with Chris Wilcox on a three-year, $24 million proposal from his Washington, D.C.-based agent Jeff Fried.

According to a team source, an agreement is imminent, with at least one of the team's new owners, G. Edward Evans, planning to return to Seattle this week, possibly for the announcement. - P. Allen

I would give SonicsCentral a bad time about spreading that same rumor last week, both repeating rumors. I'm not sure if both Percy Allen and Brian Robinson speading the same rumor means that Brian has become more of a reporter, or that that Percy has become more of a blogger. If that's both or neather then I'm disappointed in one of them, or both.

At any rate, we will see what really happens ... when it really happens. There's still a good change Wilcox signs a three year deal. That would be best for he and the team. It's rare when a player takes the one year contract that he makes up the money left on the table (see Vladi Radmanovic, Stro Swift, etc..). Three years is short enough to bank 24 million and still get to the market again for a long term contract, he's 23. But the story last week was 24 million (8 million a year) and now it is 19.5 (6.5 million a year). I'm not sure where Percy Allen get's 6 million as a difference unless the Wilcox demand wasn't 24 million, but 25 (what's a million among millionaires?).

If it comes right down to it, the one year deal, Wilcox play for one year and then he could walk away. Not good for ether side. The Sonics also have Ridnour and Collison in line for possible contract extensions.

The Wilcox one year deal would mean much to dealings with Ridnour, Collison on the other hand could pick up some of the cash Wilcox is leaving on the table. Collison would have a little more leverage, not much, but some. And that leverage that could translate into dollars.

So, do the Sonics pay Collison a little more or just go a little higher next week with Wilcox and spend that little bit of money there? I think that either way the Sonics are going to pay out that 6 million. It's either going to hold wilcox here for three years or it's going to over pay Collison for the next few years. If they go short with Collison too then they have an unstable power forward spot with two guys fluffing up their numbers at the potential cost to the rest of the team.

If Wilcox signs the one year deal look for Collison to make a little more money and for Petro to get playing time at power forward (his furure position). The Sonics will give Wilcox the same line they gave Radmanovic, if you are signing for one year then the team will look to develop players they think will be here past the current year. That's the team's leverage.

They should meet half-way, 3 years @ 7.25 mil =21.75. The Sonics will save money off Collison, and Wilcox will not leave 4 million dollars on the table this season going forward.

Go forward!