HAITAO
03-03-2009, 08:43 PM
Barring an unforeseen snag, Drew Gooden (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1711) will be joining the San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sas) later this week, according to NBA front-office sources.
Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Gooden -- waived Sunday by the Sacramento Kings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sac) before the midnight deadline to be eligibile to play in the playoffs with another team -- has made known his intent to sign with San Antonio after clearing waivers Wednesday.
Gooden was pursued by several playoff-bound teams this week, including San Antonio's divisional rivals in Dallas and New Orleans.
But the Spurs have nearly $1.5 million remaining from their mid-level salary-cap exception to offer Gooden for the rest of the season, as well as a shot at title contention.
The league-wide expectation since Sunday, when Gooden finalized a buyout with the Kings and Joe Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=788) secured his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=okc), has been Smith signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle) this week and Gooden joining the Spurs.
The Arizona Republic reported on its Web site Tuesday that the Phoenix Suns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=pho) are on the verge of signing Stromile Swift (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=829), who will also clear waivers Wednesday after completing a buyout with the New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn).
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3949639
Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Gooden -- waived Sunday by the Sacramento Kings (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sac) before the midnight deadline to be eligibile to play in the playoffs with another team -- has made known his intent to sign with San Antonio after clearing waivers Wednesday.
Gooden was pursued by several playoff-bound teams this week, including San Antonio's divisional rivals in Dallas and New Orleans.
But the Spurs have nearly $1.5 million remaining from their mid-level salary-cap exception to offer Gooden for the rest of the season, as well as a shot at title contention.
The league-wide expectation since Sunday, when Gooden finalized a buyout with the Kings and Joe Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=788) secured his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=okc), has been Smith signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle) this week and Gooden joining the Spurs.
The Arizona Republic reported on its Web site Tuesday that the Phoenix Suns (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=pho) are on the verge of signing Stromile Swift (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=829), who will also clear waivers Wednesday after completing a buyout with the New Jersey Nets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn).
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3949639