Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
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Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has waived guard Sundiata Gaines, guard/forward Othyus Jeffers, forward Demetris Nichols and guard Ryan Thompson. The Jazz roster now stands at 13.
Gaines (6-1, 200, Georgia) appeared in four preseason contests with the Jazz (all as a reserve), averaging 5.0 points, and 2.3 assists in 11.0 minutes a game. He saw action in 32 games with Utah last season after being called up from the NBA D-League’s Idaho Stampede on January 5, 2010. Gaines averaged 3.3 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 6.5 minutes for the Jazz in 2009-10.
Jeffers (6-5, 210, Robert Morris (IL)) played in five preseason games (one start) for the Jazz, averaging 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.6 minutes. He also appeared in 14 games with Utah last season following his call-up from the D-League’s Iowa Energy on March 4, 2010. Jeffers averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.1 minutes for the Jazz in 2009-10.
Nichols (6-8, 215, Syracuse) appeared in four preseason contests (one start) with the Jazz, averaging 5.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.8 minutes. He previously played in 18 games over two seasons (2007-09) with Cleveland, Chicago and New York and spent the 2009-10 season with BCM Gravelines of the French League.
Thompson (6-6, 218, Rider) appeared in five preseason games (one start) with the Jazz, averaging 2.6 points and 0.8 rebounds in nine minutes a game. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft following four seasons at Rider.
I thought they would have kept at least one of them, either Jeffers or Thompson.
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Utah's roster stands at 13 after the cuts. All players are active except for center Mehmet Okur, who is recovering from Achilles surgery.
"It's a part of the job. It's just the nature of the business," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We can't mope around about it for two or three days. You've got to go back and go to work."
Sloan said he was told the roster would be set at 13, and that keeping 14 players since Okur is out was not an option.
"I don't have a problem with that," Sloan said. "That's the way it is."
Sloan and guard Deron Williams said they were not concerned about Utah's depth with the team's regular-season opener just six days away. Moreover, Williams feels that the Jazz's roster is coming together well. Utah is a franchise-best 7-0 during exhibition play.
"We've still got some things to work on," Williams said. "But I'm definitely happy with how things are going."
Meanwhile, X-rays on center Al Jefferson's right hand were negative. Jefferson (bruised right knuckle) did not practice Thursday and is probable for Utah's final preseason game Friday against Sacramento at Energy Solutions Arena.
Last edited by El Kabong : 10-22-2010 at 06:56 AM.
Re: Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
Thompson probably played the worst. Jeffers and Gaines played well enough to make it. But they have to save money so they can carry a roster full of highly paid PF's. Kind of stupid to have a D-League team that you don't even utilize.
Re: Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed guard Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract. Gaines, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds has appeared in 40 regular season games with Minnesota and Utah averaging 3.2 points, 1.1 assists and 7.0 minutes. He was signed by Minnesota on November 12 and saw action in eight games totaling 21 points, six assists and 65 minutes. He was released by the Timberwolves on January 4.
Re: Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
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Originally Posted by Xiao Yao You
Didn't realize they were hurt. I'd think he'd have a shot there because neither of them is really a pg.
Calderon can play PG, Bayless is more suited to SG, but they've got him playing point since they traded Jack and Marcus Banks. Barbosa is injured too, so they are short on guards right now.
Re: Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have signed guard Sundiata Gaines to a second 10-day contract.
Gaines was signed to his original 10-day contract on January 13. He appeared in five games with Toronto averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 assists and 14.6 minutes. He had a high of 10 points in back-to-back games January 19 at San Antonio and January 21 at Orlando.
Gaines, 6-foot-1,195 pounds has appeared in 45 regular season games with Minnesota, Utah and Toronto averaging 3.5 points, 1.2 assists and 7.9 minutes. He was signed by Minnesota on November 12 and saw action in eight games totaling 21 points, six assists and 65 minutes. He was released by the Timberwolves on January 4.
Gaines played in 32 games with Utah in the 2009-10 season. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Jazz in January before being inked for the remainder of the season on January 25. He averaged 3.3 points, 1.2 assists and 6.8 minutes. He appeared in five postseason games where he totaled 11 points (5-for-6 FG) in seven minutes.
Gaines also played in the NBDL last season with the Idaho Stampede. He averaged 23.9 points with 4.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 14 games.
A 2008 product of the University of Georgia, Gaines began his professional career with NGC Cantu in the Italian League in the 2008-09 season. He averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30 outings.
Toronto’s roster now stands at 15 players.
Re: Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
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Originally Posted by Xiao Yao You
A couple former teammates in NJ for Deron now. Not sure what his chances are of sticking this time. Farmar out but they have Uzoh too.
Doubt he'll be with the team past a 2nd 10 day contract. I'd rather have Gaines then Price on the Jazz at the moment. Maybe they'll look at bringing him back to the team next year.
Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson
