Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 am  |  38 responses

Joe Smith and Drew Gooden are Looking for New Homes

by Marcel Mutoni

The NBA’s economic situation being what it is these days, these types of cost-cutting moves are to be expected. And contenders are licking their chops at the possibility of acquiring guys like the newly-freed Joe Smith and Drew Gooden.

From the Sacramento Bee and The Oklahoman:

Drew Gooden’s Sacramento stay is over. The forward acquired Feb. 18 in a six-player trade with Chicago agreed to a buyout from the Kings and was waived Sunday night. The move was yet another financially motivated decision by the Kings, who are believed to have saved $2 million while allowing Gooden to possibly join a playoff contender.

[...]

For the second consecutive year, Joe Smith might be joining Cleveland at mid-season to try and help the Cavaliers make a run at an NBA championship. The Thunder waived Smith on Sunday — or bought out his contract — hours before the deadline in which teams must have a player on the roster to be eligible for the playoffs…“This was a very sound basketball and business decision,” Presti said. “Moving forward, Joe’s opportunity on the floor was limited with some of the other guys on the roster. This also gives us roster flexibility.”

Interestingly enough, the Cavs must choose between the two bigs, both of whom used to ply their trade in Cleveland. It is Smith, though, who’s expected to join Team LeBron later this week.

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  • Moose Posted: Mar.2 at 9:01 am
    YES YES YES YES BOSTON ACT!

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:05 am
    I am guessing the Cavs get BOTH and waive Lorrenzo. Or maybe Orlando will suprise me and sign Drew Gooden. I wish the Bobcats would sign Drew, but i know it wont happen. Also if the Heat signed Drew, they would be dangerous.

  • Eboy Posted: Mar.2 at 9:05 am
    Uhm….Team No D should be looking at one of them.

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:10 am
    Team No D has a more absurd coach and a better post presence even without their 2 best bigs playing than the Miami Wheat

  • Eboy Posted: Mar.2 at 9:11 am
    Do you know who Team No D is BET? I don’t think you do.

  • maio Posted: Mar.2 at 9:13 am
    Keep it up Drew, Chucky Brown and Tony Massenburg are not far ahead. Joe Smith should go to Minnesota.

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:16 am
    I was guessing the Nuggets but now that i think about it, The Phoenix Super Novas?

  • MalevolentKing7242 Posted: Mar.2 at 9:16 am
    Drew should go to Clevland. Hes played thare before and the Cavs really need a big man in Big Bens absence. He’ll do a great job as a backup with varjaio

  • Eboy Posted: Mar.2 at 9:18 am
    Joe Smith would be more of a calming influence on the Cavs fans than Benedict Gooden.

  • SLAM ONLINE | Posted: Mar.2 at 9:20 am
    [...] Gooden, Smith Bought Out [...]

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:27 am
    because Cavs management cares more about who is a better player than who fans like…

  • Eboy Posted: Mar.2 at 9:28 am
    Joe is actually a better fit, dum dum.

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:33 am
    idk about that, but i do know better than to start a flame war with eboy. I dont want to hurt no feelings even if i am bored as hell right now…

  • Eboy Posted: Mar.2 at 9:38 am
    Hurt feelings…..do you think my screename is Jukai?

  • ktokyo Posted: Mar.2 at 9:38 am
    Bill Simmons’ article was a definite downer. He’s absolutely right, though. What did these owners really expect – giving out all of these ridiculous contracts? Finally, it’s coming back to bite them in the ass.

  • B. Long Posted: Mar.2 at 9:39 am
    Drew Gooden’s facial hair belongs in Miami.

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:47 am
    No i think your sceen name is Gaz

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Mar.2 at 9:52 am
    No school today, BETCATS?

  • BETCATS Posted: Mar.2 at 9:59 am
    Ben! I got me a snow day. Thank god for 3 inches of white stuff and terrible school bus drivers!

  • BostonBaller Posted: Mar.2 at 10:24 am
    Boston just signed Gooden!!! Who shot JR? Dang, I was dreaming. I meant I hope we sign Gooden OR Smith

  • neaorin Posted: Mar.2 at 10:35 am
    Yes please on Joe Smith, meh on DG. Joe Smith is exactly what the Cavs need off the bench. JJ Hickson is not ready to contribute significantly in a series against Boston or LA.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Mar.2 at 11:23 am
    Gooden’s a pretty good fit for the spurs.

  • Austin C Posted: Mar.2 at 11:29 am
    get joe smith.gooden is inconsistent.smith is a battle tested big.the cavs can put the final touches on a dynasty capable team

  • Young Chris MP3 Posted: Mar.2 at 11:46 am
    Suns need Drew Gooden probably more than any team out there right now.

  • Darksaber Posted: Mar.2 at 12:23 pm
    Regarding all the free agents and buyout guys, Bill Simmons wrote a fantastic piece on the state of the league (financially) over at the follower. two pages of knowledge, opinions and educated guesses. good read.

  • a_whiteman Posted: Mar.2 at 12:29 pm
    If the spurs pick up gooden, I have a feeling the odd year title streak will continue

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Mar.2 at 12:58 pm
    if Gooden goes to the Spurs, man, that would be a good move!

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Mar.2 at 1:41 pm
    whiteman: odd year streak is going to continue regardless, it’s just a question as to whether or not Gooden’s included.

  • Josh D Posted: Mar.2 at 3:07 pm
    The Spurs are going to go after Gooden, i knew that from the momment i saw the headline, why would the Cavs choose Joe Smith over Drew Gooden though(other than financial reasons)

  • witness Posted: Mar.2 at 3:35 pm
    i think gooden is still good and we havent seen the best of him. im sure he can post good numbers for whichever team he plays for.

  • neaorin Posted: Mar.2 at 4:11 pm
    If Gooden’s such a good player I wonder why he keeps getting traded…

  • Dacre Posted: Mar.2 at 7:03 pm
    because he’s got a handy price tag for escaping the salary cap. the same way you guys picked a new prez.

  • MalevolentKing7242 Posted: Mar.2 at 7:32 pm
    Yeah your right BETCATS gooden is better but the fans would like smith. He plays tougher on the boards and is a veteran.

  • Pigott17 Posted: Mar.3 at 3:19 am
    man gooden needs a home hes a decent backup he cant put up good numbers,man im wishn C’s didnt sign mikki drizzle woulda sloted in nicely.

  • Donnie Posted: Mar.3 at 5:52 pm
    Ok, am I the only person who pays attention. Pop quiz, who was our “STARTING” power forward when we made it to the finals? Gooden? Yes he gets lost on offenced at times, but NO one is gonna say that Smith is a better low post defender. And for the record, Goodens numbers are almost double that of Smith’s. Smith sould not do ANYTHING with the Cs last year, how would he help this year? would Smith make us better…Yes, but nowhere near as good as would Gooden.

  • Donnie Posted: Mar.3 at 5:58 pm
    personaly, I think the Cavs would be best served to split their mid-level, and sign them both and call it a day!

  • NOBLE Posted: Mar.3 at 8:55 pm
    I HATE Joe Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (im from minnesota)

  • Scott Carter Posted: Mar.4 at 4:57 am
    I think Drew Gooden has a lot more value than a lot of teams(and media people) give him credit for. He’s a solid big man that can give a consistent 15 pts and 7-8 rebs a game when given the playing time. In addition, regardless of who gets him now, he’ll also be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Note to NBA teams: Do NOT sleep Mr. Gooden.

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