Pending results of a physical exam scheduled for today, small forward Ime Udoka expects to sign a contract that will make him a Spur for at least two seasons.
Udoka, a 6-foot-5 forward who started all 75 games he played last season for the Portland Trail Blazers, was to arrive in San Antonio on Wednesday evening. With all other terms of a two-year contract agreed to by both Udoka and the Spurs, an official announcement of his signing should come by the end of the business week.
The NBA office must approve the contract before Udoka can sign it.The deal is believed to be a two-year guaranteed deal for slightly more than $2 million.
The Spurs officially have remained mum about a contract offer to Udoka, but his agent, Erin Cowan, said the team and his client came to full agreement on terms on Wednesday morning. Udoka then booked a flight to San Antonio for the physical exam.
"Ime will arrive tonight and take a physical (today)," Cowan said Wednesday. "That's the only thing that is pending."
The physical will give the Spurs a chance to test Udoka's right knee. The 30-year-old forward suffered a partially torn meniscus in April and missed the final seven games of the season. Cowan said the injury was not severe and that Udoka wanted to continue playing.
The Blazers, who had long since been eliminated from playoff contention, held him out of action for his own protection. "Teams looked at that and that hurt us a little bit," Cowan said of his attempts to get a more lucrative deal. "But the Spurs will find out that, just like Bruce Bowen, Ime is a freak of nature physically and just as dedicated to being in shape.
"Ime's very, very excited to join the Spurs. I think it's a win-win situation. It gives Ime a chance to continue his career on the grand stage and, frankly, I think the Spurs are getting a steal of a deal. Maybe we could have gotten more money elsewhere, but the free-agent market dried up a bit, and the longer you wait to make a deal, maybe you're gambling a bit."
Cowan said the contract to which Udoka agreed is guaranteed for two years. Udoka had wanted a player option for the second year. Cowan said he agreed to the two guaranteed years without the opt-out clause in anticipation of Udoka's ability to prove his worth as a lock-down defender in the mold of Bowen, who will be 38 by the time Udoka becomes a free agent again.
Udoka is the son of a Nigerian who came to the United States. Vitalis Udoka received a business degree from Portland State, became a U.S. citizen, married a woman he met in college and raised his family in Portland.
Udoka graduated from Jefferson High School and remained in town to play at Portland State. Tragically, Vitalis Udoka died the day his son was to play his first preseason game for the Blazers last fall.
Udoka has endowed a scholarship at Portland State in his father's name. "Udoka's family is excited for him to join the Spurs," Cowan said. "They're on TV 25 times this season, so they will get to see him play a lot."
Parker playing: NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker's injured left ankle has improved enough to allow him to participate in the last two games the French national team has played in preparation for the FIBA European Championships, scheduled to begin Sept. 3 in Spain.
Parker, who returned to San Antonio on Aug. 2 for treatment on his sore ankle after suffering the injury in a practice session, played last weekend in France's loss to Greece in a tournament in Strasbourg, France. He followed with a longer stint in a victory over Slovenia.
Parker is expected to be at full strength by the time France begins its quest for a berth in the 2008 Olympic Games at the European Championships.
source : mysanantonio.com
