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.