The Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday waived veteran Drew Gooden with the amnesty provision. The move clears cap space and potentially paves the way for the team to pursue free agent Nate Robinson.
Milwaukee waived Gooden just before the 2013 amnesty deadline. The Bucks on Tuesday released the following statement:
"The Milwaukee Bucks have waived forward Drew Gooden and designated him as the team's amnesty player as allowed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, General Manager John Hammond announced today.
"Gooden originally signed with the Bucks as a free agent prior to the 2010-11 season. The 11-year NBA veteran appeared in 107 games over three seasons with the Bucks, averaging 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest."
The 31-year-old veteran will still make around $13 million over the next two seasons, but clearing Gooden's contract from the books creates more room for Milwaukee to sign another free agent as the team rebuilds.
Waiving Gooden gives Milwaukee approximately $16.7 million in salary cap space, according to HoopsWorld.
With the extra room, the Bucks may choose to add depth at the guard position and solidify its backcourt by signing Robinson, who is reportedly looking for more than the veteran's minimum salary, according to the New York Daily News.
Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reported that the Bucks are one of several teams interested in signing the 5-foot-9 guard.
Robinson, 29, improved his value during his stint in Chicago. He averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 assists in 25 minutes during the 2012-13 regular season, and he played even better in the playoffs, averaging 16.3 points and 4.4 assists in 33 minutes per game.
Milwaukee could look to start Robinson and O.J. Mayo in its backcourt.
