Sonics Offer Nixon $2.7 Million; Now, It’s Up to Clippers

Free-agent point guard Norm Nixon, unable to come to contract terms with the Clippers, will be tendered a lucrative offer sheet by the Seattle SuperSonics today.

Both Nixon and Lenny Wilkens, Seattle’s general manager, have signed the offer sheet, which will pay Nixon $2.7 million over five years.

“It’s all signed and it’ll be delivered (to the Clippers) in the morning,” said Tom Collins, one of Nixon’s agents. “We spent a lot of time trying to make the contract as simple and standard as possible, and Norm is very happy with it.”

Seattle’s offer sheet will arrive at the Clippers’ offices a few hours before guard Derek Smith undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to determine whether he suffered cartilage or ligament damage when he pulled up lame in Wednesday night’s 93-89 loss to Seattle at the Sports Arena.

Once the offer sheet is filed, the Clippers will have 15 days in which to match it and keep Nixon, or lose him. Clipper President Alan Rothenberg said Thursday night that the club will make a decision after studying the specifics of the contract.

There is a strong possibility that the Clippers will challenge the validity of the contract and take Seattle to arbitration.

“We have to make sure it is valid,” Rothenberg said. “If we find it’s invalid, then we will definitely challenge it. Just from hearing the contract over the phone (from Collins) some of the stuff sounded like it’s against the salary cap.

“If the contract is valid, then we’ll match it. Our intention has always been to match. We’re going to act as fast as we can, but we should do it prudently. It might take awhile.”

Rothenberg, who said he was speaking for both General Manager Carl Scheer and owner Donald T. Sterling, said he was surprised that Seattle made the offer.

“But mostly, I’m absolutely shocked and outraged that Seattle would do this without even contacting us,” Rothenberg said. “It was offensive and obnoxious that Seattle did that.”

Wilkens, traveling back to Seattle Thursday night, could not be reached for comment. However, SuperSonic Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, in Los Angeles, acknowledged the offer sheet but declined to comment “until the deal is consummated.”

The SuperSonics, who are close to exceeding the NBA’s salary-cap restrictions, have apparently devised a contract for Nixon that they believe will be within the limitations. Nixon, sources say, will receive incentive bonuses, an interest-free loan and more cash in the latter years of the contract.

Nixon’s representatives and Wilkens agreed to terms Thursday morning in Los Angeles after the sides negotiated most of Wednesday night. But the offer will not officially be made until today because lawyers in Seattle had to read the contract.

Since Nixon, 30, has a no-trade clause for the first year of the contract, the Clippers would not be able to match the offer and then trade Nixon to Seattle or any other NBA team. Fred Slaughter, Nixon’s attorney, said Nixon has the option to waive the clause and that “Norm is willing and able to play for Seattle.”

It is believed that the Clippers will move quickly after receiving the offer sheet because of Smith’s injury.

Dr. Eugene Osher, who will assist the Clippers’ Dr. Tony Daly in today’s operation, said that Smith is showing symptoms of a torn lateral meniscus cartilage, which probably would sideline him for about four to six weeks. A ligament tear would likely end Smith’s season.

Either way, the Clippers need healthy and quality players, and Scheer had said after Wednesday’s game that he wants Nixon in uniform tonight against the Lakers at the Sports Arena, although this now seems unlikely. As it stands, the Clippers will suit up only nine players.

Forward Marques Johnson, who missed the last two games with a strained lower back, will return to action, but Cedric Maxwell (day-to-day with a strained hamstring) and Jamaal Wilkes (out 7 to 10 days with a sprained right ankle) won’t play.

Smith, resting uncomfortably at his Playa del Rey home Thursday, said doctors have told him that he has probably suffered cartilage damage, which is good news.

“They don’t know for sure,” Smith said. “But after the X-rays were negative (looking for breaks), they said the knee was still stable, and that means it might be a cartilage.

“I feel a lot better. I’m just praying and hoping it’s a cartilage (tear) and I can come back soon. You’re scared when you first get a knee injury. You think your career might be over. That’s what I thought, my initial fear. I was playing so well, it makes it real tough to accept. This is another major setback.”