SAN ANTONIO -- Free-agent guard Vinnie Johnson, a 12-year NBA veteran who spent the past 10 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, signed a contract Thursday with the San Antonio Spurs.
Terms of the deal were not announced, but it is believed to be for two years.
'It feels great to be with the Spurs,' said Johnson, 35. 'It's great to be back in the league and it's even better since I'm with the Spurs. This team is a contender, with some great players, and I think we have a good chance to win the NBA championship.'
The 6-foot-2 guard was a key member of Detroit's NBA championship teams in 1989 and '90, but was waived in early September. He has averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during his career, which began with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979.
Johnson, whose nickname is 'Microwave,' had rejected offers from the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers because they would not commit to a multi-year contract. He had hoped to join an NBA club for the start of the season, but underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to remove torn cartilage while teams were in training camp. He has been cleared to play.
'After looking at the teams I had offers from,' explained Johnson, 'I felt like this would be the best place forme to play. I feel like I can bring a lot of experience to this team. I think I can really help this team when the playoffs start, having been in the playoffs as much as I have.
'Hopefully, I can bring them some leadership and be a solid performer day in and day out.'
San Antonio had an advantage over the other teams in bidding for Johnson since it had the most room in its salary cap. Any money Johnson makes over the NBA minimum of $130,000 will be subtracted from the $1.1 million the Pistons still owe for this season under a guaranteed contract.
Johnson averaged 11.7 points a game last season. He is the Pistons' all-time leader with 798 games played and is fifth in club history with 10,146 points.
San Antonio has a record of 11-8 and is 1- games behind the Utah Jazz in the NBA Midwest Division. The Spurs have experienced guard problems as starting point guard Rod Strickland is a holdout and reserve guard Stephen Bardo is on the injured list.
In Wednesday's 98-85 win over Minnesota, San Antonio had to start journeyman Avery Johnson at point guard and 6-foot-8 swingman Willie Anderson at off-guard. Two players who were cut by other NBA clubs, Tom Garrick and Jud Buechler, backed up the starting guards.
To make room on the roster, the Spurs waived Garrick. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 19 games.