Jose Calderon securing buyout from Lakers to join Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have emerged as the strong favorite to sign veteran guard Jose Calderon once he completes his expected buyout with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Calderon has the Warriors at the top of his list provided he can negotiate his release from the Lakers by Wednesday, which is the last day this season that players can be released and retain playoff eligibility for their next team.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced after Saturday night's 112-95 victory over Brooklyn that guard Briante Weber would not be re-signed for the rest of the season after completing his second 10-day contract. Kerr also acknowledged that Golden State was poised to sign a veteran guard to take that roster spot.

ESPN first reported earlier Saturday that Calderon had launched into buyout negotiations with the Lakers, with Golden State and Houston quickly emerging as interested suitors.

Deron Williams was released by the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, cleared waivers on Saturday and quickly came to terms on a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers that, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin, will be made official Monday.

Calderon and former Warriors center Andrew Bogut are two more recognizable names expected to join Williams in this season's buyout market, although neither has officially secured their release from their current teams.

Sources say the Philadelphia 76ers and Bogut's agent, David Bauman, continue to negotiate a potential buyout. Cleveland's interest in Bogut is well-chronicled, but ESPN reported Thursday that the Rockets and San Antonio Spurs were also among the teams that plan to make a run at him should he reach the open market next week.

The league office confirmed this week the Warriors will be free under NBA rules to re-sign Bogut if they wish -- despite trading him to Dallas in July -- but ESPN also reported Thursday that Golden State made the decision to target guard help in its search for roster upgrades heading into the regular-season stretch run.

The Rockets, in particular, have vowed to be aggressive in their pursuit of veterans such as Bogut and Calderon after clearing an additional $3.5 million in salary-cap space through their deadline-day trades that shipped out K.J. McDaniels and Tyler Ennis.