THE SIDELINES : Wilkins to Get $2.9 Million a Year

ATLANTA â€”  Hawks star forward Dominique Wilkins has a new five-year $14.5-million contract that he says will allow him the peace of mind to “just go out and play ball.â€�

The contract, to be signed today, will pay the 29-year-old Wilkins an average of $2.9 million a year. Hawks President Stan Kasten agreed to set aside the remaining two years of Wilkins’ current contract, which pays him $1.4 million a year.

Wilkins, the Hawks’ crowd favorite and leading scorer last season, had sought a salary of $3 million a year but said he has no problems accepting the lower deal.

“I’m signing and I’m happy,� Wilkins said. “I’m not complaining. I’ve got security. I think I did pretty good for a guy with two years left.�