Calling the trade that brought him back to the Spurs after a nine-year absence “a blessing,” Stephen Jackson said he is ready to relish whatever role coach Gregg Popovich has for him.

“Every day, I wish I wouldn’t have ever left,” said Jackson, whom the Spurs acquired Thursday by trading Richard Jefferson to Golden State. “My career has taken me to a lot of places, but it’s good to end up back here where I always felt I belonged.

“It’s sweet, man. Great team, great young guys, the organization is still one of the best in the league, if not the best, and I’m just happy to be back where I’ve always been family and somewhere I want to be.”

via Mike Monroe of The San Antonio Express-News