Some Optimism in Clipper Talks With Norm Nixon

Clipper management met with unsigned free agent Norm Nixon and Fred Slaughter, his agent, Monday afternoon for the first time in more than two weeks, and General Manager Carl Scheer said he is “guardedly optimistic” that Nixon eventually will sign.

Slaughter said Nixon has come down from his previous asking price of $725,000 a year for four years, but he didn’t reveal the latest figure.

Scheer said he and team President Alan Rothenberg will talk with owner Donald T. Sterling today and then perhaps prepare to make a counter offer as soon as this afternoon.

“I think this (sitting out) is an agonizing time for Norm,” Scheer said. “But he looks good, thin and in shape. I think he wants to play.”