Veteran forward Drew Gooden re-signed with the Washington Wizards on Monday, the team announced.
Multiple media outlets reported that Gooden received a one-year, $3.3 million deal.
“The business nowadays and my journey throughout the NBA, anything could have happened,” Gooden told CSN Washington on Monday. “I think I proved my worth with the organization and the fans, so I think it was a no-brainer for me to come back and it was a no-brainer for me to sign the deal.”
Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement, “Drew has been an important part of our success the last two years and we are pleased to welcome him back.His skills, leadership and outside shooting will continue to add value to our front court rotation.”
Gooden, 33, averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 51 games (seven starts) for Washington last season. In 10 postseason games, he improved his production to 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
“We did have a taste of where we need to be and know what we need to do next year,” he told CSN Washington, speaking about the team’s postseason run. “So we’re definitely looking forward to competing to get back there next year.”
A first-round pick (fourth overall) out of Kansas by the Grizzlies in 2002, Gooden has played for 10 teams in 13 NBA seasons. His best season was 2004-05 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he averaged 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds, both career highs.
The 33-year-old said he is working out regularly in the offseason.
“At my age, if I let two or three days go by, I start feeling aches and pains,” he told CSN Washington. “I gotta keep the motor running. Getting the workouts in on a daily basis has absolutely elevated my game on the court.”