The Los Angeles Lakers made a strong play for Drew Gooden before the forward signed with the Spurs.

?I got calls from (the Lakers) trying to get me,? said Gooden.  "It was a game of chess probably. (The Lakers) probably knew San Antonio was the team they had to get past in the West."

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford was the first basketball executive to contact Gooden when the Kings negotiated a buyout of what remained of his contract, which was to pay him $7.151 million this season.

?R.C. kind of made this thing happen,? Gooden said. ?When he learned about me having a possible buyout from Sacramento, he was the first one on it. That kind of lets you know there is a need for you, rather than having a luxury.

?A lot of teams were calling as soon as they found out I was bought out, but San Antonio was the best fit for me, and not only for the rest of the year. I think there might be a future here for me.?