Drew Gooden

Chris Wilcox took offense to a television report he saw Saturday afternoon in which Kansas All-American forward Drew Gooden proclaimed himself and teammate Nick Collison the best big men in the country. The Maryland sophomore, who would be guarding Gooden in the Terrapins' national semifinal game against the Jayhawks, used Gooden's boast as motivation. So when the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Gooden went up for his first shot, the 6-10, 220-pound Wilcox promptly swatted the ball away.

The carousel of Clippers continued Wednesday, with the team making its second trade in two days to shed salary in hopes of wooing an elite free agent this summer. About a half hour before a 110-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center, the Clippers announced they had acquired forward Drew Gooden from Washington as part of a three-team deal in which they sent forward Al Thornton to the Wizards and backup point guard Sebastian Telfair to Cleveland. The Cavaliers also received forward Antawn Jamison from Washington and the Wizards received center Zydrunas Ilgauskas from Cleveland.

Kansas had too much muscle, shooting skill and experience for youthful Arizona. Drew Gooden had 23 points and tied his career high with 15 rebounds as the No. 8 Jayhawks defeated the No. 4 Wildcats, 105-97, Saturday at Tucson. The Wildcats cut a 16-point deficit with 11 minutes left to four on two occasions, but each time the Jayhawks pulled away. "In the first half we couldn't keep up with our transition game," Gooden said.

Drew Gooden never stays anywhere for long. Three years at Kansas. Less than a season with the Memphis Grizzlies, who made him the fourth overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. Nine teams in eight pro seasons. "I probably know every playbook in the league now," Gooden quipped Saturday evening upon joining the Clippers. Even by his standards, the power forward endured something of a whirlwind sequence last week. Four days after being traded from Dallas to Washington -- and trying unsuccessfully to negotiate a buyout of his contract with the Wizards -- Gooden found himself with the Clippers following another trade.

Finally getting the additional big man they have long been seeking, the San Antonio Spurs signed Drew Gooden for the remainder of the season after the 6-foot-10 power forward bought out his contract in Sacramento this week. Gooden has played only two games since Jan. 19 because of injuries. Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford said Gooden had not undergone a physical, but Gooden sounded confident in his health. He did not know whether he would play in the Spurs' game today against Washington.

The Chicago Bulls acquired center Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday for four players, including forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni. Sacramento also got Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons in the deal, but traded Ruffin to Portland for forward Ike Diogu and cash. The Kings then waived guard Quincy Douby and veteran Sam Cassell, acquired Tuesday from Boston. The trade clears more than $10 million in salary cap for the Kings next season.

Al Horford scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Tuesday night as the Atlanta Hawks remained unbeaten through six games with a 113-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Atlanta's start is its best since the 1997-98 Hawks won their first 11 games. With leading scorer Joe Johnson suffering through a poor shooting night, the Hawks held off the short-handed Bulls. Mike Bibby scored 22 points, making three three-point shots in the fourth quarter.

Jim Jackson came off the bench to score 23 points and Bobby Jackson had 18 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 104-80 victory over the Spurs on Sunday in their first game at the SBC Center in San Antonio. Spur Coach Gregg Popovich was ejected at halftime after picking up his second technical for arguing just after the buzzer. Assistant P.J. Carlesimo coached the team during the second half.

VS. CHICAGO Time: 7:30. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket. Radio: 710. Where: Staples Center. Records: Clippers 10-34, Bulls 18-27. Record vs. Bulls: 0-1. Update: There are degrees of struggling, apparently. The Clippers have won only twice in 18 games since Dec. 19 and just once in their last five. Chicago is on a five-game losing streak and is starting a 10-day trip. Bulls forward Drew Gooden is out indefinitely because of a groin strain.

Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson will be sidelined at least two more weeks because of a sore back. He has been out three games already and Detroit is six games under .500 with him in the starting lineup. Etc. The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Joe Smith, bringing the veteran forward back for another NBA title run. . . .