Last year, Bogans played for both the Orlando Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks. With Orlando, Bogans started 15 of 36 games and averaged 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game. With Milwaukee, Bogans averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game.

While he’s not much of an offensively, as evident by his 39.4% lifetime field goal percentage, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Bogans is known as a strong, rugged defender who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

Bogans reportedly signed a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth a little more than $1 million. With the Spurs, Bogans will likely backup Richard Jefferson at small forward. He’ll compete for minutes with other swingmen including Manu Ginobili, Roger Mason, Jr. and Michael Finley.

Keith Bogans - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

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Keith Bogans Signs with the Spurs

The good news for Jefferson and the Spurs is the fact that the injury is believed to be minor. The team will take another look at his thumb next week to give a definite return date. With training camp two weeks away, he may have to miss the first week of training camp. However, there’s a chance he’ll be ready for the beginning of the camp.

When Bruce Bowen recently retired, Jefferson’s role on the Spurs grew even more. Without Bowen around to defend, Jefferson’s defense is going to be key to the Spurs this season. As long as he’s healthy, he’s destined to play a lot of minutes for San Antonio.

In the last two seasons, Jefferson played all 164 games. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last year with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Richard Jefferson - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

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Richard Jefferson Dislocates his Thumb

From 2003 to 2008, Bowen was named to the All-Defensive first team all five seasons. The three previous seasons saw him named to the All-Defensive second team. Bowen also finished second in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award multiple times.

Though the now 38-year-old small forward wasn’t know for his offense, he was an accomplished three-point shooter who seemed to always knock down momentum-changing shots. For his career, he shot 39.3% from beyond the three-point line to go along with a scoring average of 6.1 points.

The Spurs will undoubtedly miss Bowen’s defensive play, the team moved on to a younger generation this offseason. Richard Jefferson was brought in from the Milwaukee Bucks to start at small forward. Add in a healthy Manu Ginobili and there weren’t many minutes available at the swingman spots.

Oh and that sigh of relief you heard are exhales from the countless scorers who Bowen bottled up over the years. They are glad to see him ride off into the sunset.

Bruce Bowen Retires - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

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Bruce Bowen Retires from the NBA

The Bucks had until August 1st to either release or trade Bowen to save money. By releasing Bowen, Milwuakee saves at least $2 million.

After bouncing around the NBA early in his professional career, Bowen eventually made a name for himself with the Spurs. In his eight years in San Antonio, the Spurs won three NBA championships — in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Known as a fantastic perimeter defender, Bowen also developed into a very good three-point shooter.

Even though he’s 38 years old, a number of teams have been said to be interested including the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs may attempt to bring him back to San Antonio or Bowen may opt to retire.

Bruce Bowen waived by the Bucks (Image: Zuma Press)

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Bruce Bowen Released by the Bucks

In return for Jefferson, the Bucks got salary relief in the threesome of Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas. Both Bowen and Oberto have partially guaranteed contracts that will create space under the NBA’s luxury tax. Out of the three players, the only one who may suit up for the Bucks is Thomas.

Last season, Jefferson averaged 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He shot 43.9% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the three-point arc. In 2003 while with the New Jersey Nets, Jefferson played against the Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs won the series in six games to capture their second NBA championship. Since then, San Antonio has won two more championships.

Jefferson and the Spurs hope that he’s can be a key contributor to championship number five.

Richard Jefferson joins Tim Duncan on the San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

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Richard Jefferson Traded to the Spurs