by Jeff McDonald, STAFF , San Antonio Express-News

Bowen, after all, was an eight-time member of the NBA's All-Defensive team and widely regarded as one of the most suffocating perimeter defenders in league history. Those kinds of players don't necessarily grow on trees.

"Bruce has been a great defender at the wing," general manager R.C. Buford said at the time. "We're not going to be negligent in that pursuit. That's a piece of our plan going forward."

With a week to go before the start of training camp, the Spurs appear poised to add the perimeter defender they've been chasing all summer.

Keith Bogans, the 29-year-old journeyman guard who spent the final 29 games of last season playing with Jefferson in Milwaukee, has agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum of $1.03 million to join the Spurs .

Bogans, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, has averaged 7.5 points over a five-year career that includes stints with seven teams. He averaged 5.6 points in 65 games last season, split between the Magic and the Bucks.

Like Bowen before him, however, Bogans has built his professional reputation on the defensive end.

As news of Bogans' impending arrival to San Antonio circulated Monday night, at least one of Bogans' soon-to-be Spurs teammates rolled out the figurative welcome wagon. On his Facebook page, Manu Ginobili posted this message to Bogans: "Welcome to the family, man!"

It is not immediately clear whether Bogans' contract is fully guaranteed or if it is a make-good deal for camp. Bogans is expected to formally sign the contract later this week.

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