Goran Suton, Alexander Johnson, and Spencer Nelson Waived by Jazz

by Basketball John on Oct 21, 2009 2:11 PM MDT

From the official press release,

SALT LAKE CITY (October 21, 2009) - Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced

today that the team has requested waivers on forward Alexander Johnson, forward Spencer Nelson and

center Goran Suton. The Jazz roster now stands at 16.

Johnson (6-9, 230, Florida State) has played in 102 regular season NBA games with Memphis and

Miami and spent last season playing for Brose Baskets Bamberg of the German League. He appeared

in four preseason contests with the Jazz, averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes a game.

Nelson (6-8, 225, Utah State) has yet to appear in a regular season NBA game since going undrafted in

2005. He spent the 2008-09 season playing in Greece for Aris Thessaloniki, averaging 9.4 points, 7.3

rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32 games. In five preseason games with the Jazz, he averaged 3.8 points

and 1.4 rebounds in nine minutes a game.

Suton (6-10, 245, Michigan State) was selected by the Jazz in the second round (50th overall) of the

2009 NBA Draft. He appeared in six preseason contests with the Jazz, averaging 1.7 points and 2.5

rebounds in 8.3 minutes a game.

None of these were surprising. Like I mentioned before, another season and maybe Suton gets signed. But with the luxury tax and plenty of big men ahead of him, it wasn't likely that he was going to get a deal.

Paul Harris is still with the club for now though which does surprise me a bit seeing as he can't play. I think he would have competed for a spot on the team. Bad luck for him. But once he heals, I'm sure we'll see him in the D-League and maybe get a chance to make it to the NBA.

Haven't found anything yet on what they all plan to do now. Nelson may head back overseas. This will probably be the last year we see him trying to make the team given his age. Suton might follow Nelson overseas. Johnson may get on in the NBDL.

That leaves just Matthews and Dupree left. Matthews is the favorite right now. If the Jazz do sign someone, it will probably be him.

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Comments

Seriously?

They kept an injured Harris over Suton?

And do we keep Suton’s rights for when he returns?

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by UtesFan89 on Oct 21, 2009 6:52 PM MDT reply actions

I think it's just for a year.

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by Basketball John on Oct 21, 2009 7:12 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't get keeping Harris either...

but if they sign anyone it better be Mathews, I really like his game and I think he can give the Jazz some energy off the bench…

by bfsinc on Oct 21, 2009 8:32 PM MDT reply actions

I was right

I was calling for Matthews since they put him on the Summer League roster……go ahead and make me ast GM Kevin…..I deserve it for this.

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Oct 22, 2009 7:31 AM MDT reply actions

If Harris is in fact injured...

They Jazz may be required to keep him on the roster until he his healthy or they risk having to pay for all of his medical costs after releasing him. I know it works that way in baseball. Maybe he will be cleared by doctors sometime in the next few days and once that happens he will be released.

Just a guess on my part.

http://8hourstokill.blogspot.com

by BC7 on Oct 22, 2009 9:22 AM MDT reply actions