The Phoenix Suns have waived guard Cole Anthony, officially clearing a roster spot that is expected to go to two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea.
Anthony, 29, arrived in Phoenix at last month’s trade deadline as part of a tax-driven deal that sent his minimum contract from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Suns. League insider Shams Charania of ESPN first reported Thursday’s move.
Team officials waited to finalize the separation while exploring a potential buyout and monitoring backcourt injuries, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro and Suns After Dark’s Gerald Bourguet. Head coach Jordan Ott had recently said the former first-round pick provided “emergency depth,” although Anthony never reported to the club.
Because he was released before the March 1 cutoff, Anthony remains eligible to join another team’s playoff roster if he clears waivers Sunday. He averaged 6.7 points over 35 games with Milwaukee this season after spending five years with the Orlando Magic and a brief stop in Memphis.
Phoenix intends to convert Bouyea’s two-way deal to a standard contract by March 4, sources told Gambadoro. Elevating the 24-year-old guard would create a new two-way vacancy the Suns must fill before next week’s league deadline.
Source: Hoops Wire
