9:09pm: The Jazz have officially waived Lee and have completed their Exhibit 10 deal with Marquette guard Darryl Morsell, the team announced in a press release.
Utah’s agreement with Morsell was reported shortly after he went undrafted in June.
4:40pm: The Jazz are waiving guard Saben Lee, according to Tony Jones and Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The 38th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Lee spent his first two NBA seasons with the Pistons, first on a two-way contract and then on a standard deal. He appeared in 85 total games for the team, averaging 5.6 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .434/.265/.731.
Lee was part of the trade that sent Bojan Bogdanovic to Detroit, heading to Utah in the deal along with Kelly Olynyk. He was included for salary-matching purposes, with the Pistons sending the Jazz the exact amount of cash necessary to cover his guaranteed salary for 2022/23 ($1,752,638). That was a sign that he might not be in Utah’s plans for the season, and Jones later stated that Lee would likely need to have a “hell of a camp” to stick with the team.
The move is the first of several the Jazz will have to make to clear their roster logjam before the regular season begins later this month. Once Lee is officially waived, Utah will still have 17 players with fully guaranteed salaries, plus Cody Zeller, who is vying for a regular season roster spot on a non-guaranteed deal.
Cutting Lee will open up a spot on Utah’s 20-man roster for the team to officially sign Micah Potter to a two-way contract, Jones notes (via Twitter). Porter’s agreement with the Jazz was reported last month.
Enjoy G League this Year Saben!
he’s made 3 million more than you will spike!
Doing what, putting a ball in a hoop. I bet Spike has worked harder on his life so zip it silly
Teams with no futur draft picks could try to develop his shooting potential
They should and the Jazz should realize he is basically a cheap THT.
Not really. Saben is much faster, and quicker hops. However, he’s much smaller and slimmer. I’m sure they like that but the league is getting taller at PG.
For example, nobody under 6’4″ was drafted in 2022. Doesn’t bode well for smaller guys unless they have a really long wingspan like Donovan.
I’m sure the Jazz would like Micah Potter to be tutored by Olynyk. They have a similar style game, but Olynyk is more scrappy and experienced. Potter could benefit from that and help shape him to what the Jazz would need in the future.
Saben Lee haven’t shown me nothing to want to keep him around.
Utah Jazz done got rid of 5 really good players this off season.
Royce O’Neale
Rudy Gobert
Patrick Beverley
Donovan Mitchell
Bojan Bogdanovic
They still need to get rid of 4 solid players
Jordan Clarkson
Mike Conley Jr.
Malik Beasley
Rudy Gay
I don’t think they going to be able to get rid of Mike Conley Jr. this year.
The only player of that group that doesn’t really fit is Rudy Gay vs what they already have now. Olynyk is better. Zeller is more active and younger. Kessler is much taller and better defensively. Doke is injured but much younger and athletic. Of course, Vando is much more athletic and active and play multiple positions.
Rudy Gay is at that point where he would be better suited for a veteran roster. He doesn’t look happy playing for another rebuilding team. I’m sure he feels out of place. A buyout would recommended so he can sign with a contender without worrying about getting the biggest contract.
Conley is the only true PG they currently have. He’s their best shooter and distributer. He’s a very good, calming influence.
Clarkson is the best scorer the Jazz have until Lauri gets acclimated to his new teammates. Sexton likely will need more time as he’s still used to playing basketball after his injury. Plus, the Jazz need to figure out how to best use him.
Beasley is one of the Jazz’s best 3-point shooters. They don’t have too many of those right now. Plus, he’s only 25. He’ll be 26 in November.
The Jazz only need to free up two more roster spots before the roster deadline to get to 15, not counting Zeller. They released Lee to get to 17.
If I were the Jazz, I would just bite the bullet and buyout or waive Butler and Rudy Gay. Butler could then go play overseas or for a G-League team and get more comfortable. Gay can then find a playoff team to join.