"I just couldn't believe it," Claxton said. "I was like, 'What?' It took a while for it to sink in."

On Thursday, Claxton was beginning to warm to the deal that sent him to the Spurs in return for Mark Bryant and the draft rights to John Salmons and Randy Holcomb. After living in the Northeast his entire life, a move west couldn't be all bad, he said.

"I'm kind of looking forward to it now," Claxton said by phone from Philadelphia. "It gives me a new city to experience."

Claxton will meet his new team for the first time next week when the Spurs bring him in for a physical. Saying good-bye to Philadelphia won't be easy.