Chris

Wilcox

Since the Nov. 25 return of Kaman, Wilcox has averaged 7.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 21.6 minutes while shooting 43.2 percent. He had been averaging 32.8 minutes, 15.5 points, and 7.5 rebounds when Kaman was on the IL. Hopefully you unloaded Wilcox when he was hot.

Wilcox was placed on the IL yesterday with a bone stress injury in his lower right leg.

“I’ll work him back in slowly, kind of like where we are with Marko [Jaric] and Corey [Maggette],” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. When the Clippers are at full strength, they are capable of pushing for the final playoff spot in the West.

Wilcox has been out with a sore groin. He won’t have the same value he had while Elton Brand was out.

Wilcox is day-to-day. Elton Brand will be out at least another week, so Melvin Ely, Predrag Drobnjak or rookie Chris Kaman will have to guard Tim Duncan tonight. The Spurs’ big man could have a big game.

Wilcox may come back just in time for Elton Brand to reclaim his starting job.

“Basically the same thing,” Wilcox said, his right foot encased in a supportive walking boot. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.” It’ll be at least another month.

The gun charges would have had no impact on his fantasy season, just as he won’t have a lot of impact on fantasy teams. He’s a nice backup for the Clippers and could be very useful if Elton Brand or Chris Kaman suffer injuries, but outside of that, he’s just another big guy who will get you a few points, boards and the occasional block.

According to a team source, this is almost a done deal, with at least one of the team’s new owners, G. Edward Evans, planning to return to Seattle this week, possibly for the announcement. Other sources say the deal is not imminent, but it sounds like Wilcox will sign with the Sonics and then either stay in Seattle or be part of a sign-and-trade deal. If he stays, it will limit the fantasy value of Nick Collison, while Wilcox should be a solid fantasy power forward.

Instead of a three-year, $24 million deal, Wilcox is expected to unhappily sign a one-year deal worth $3.6 million that will enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.