Spurs release Jackson with four games left
SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs placed forward Stephen Jackson on waivers Friday.
He played in 55 games for the Spurs, coming off the bench, and averaged 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 19.5 minutes.
It was an unexpected move by the Spurs front office with four games left in the regular season and the team vying for the top seed in the West. They are doing it with a depleted roster, as Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Boris Diaw are dealing with injuries.
"We're getting ready for playoffs. Putting our team together and what we want to do and who we want to do it with. We thought that making the decision with Jack (Stephen Jackson) was best for the group," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "Tough decision, because on a personal basis, I've known him a long time. I enjoy him very much. But you got to make decisions that are tough sometimes. We thought this was best for our group."
Jackson was acquired in a three-way trade last year with the Golden State Warriors that returned him to the team where he won his only championship in 2003.
The 13-year veteran has played for seven other teams. He has appeared in 849 games where he had a career average of 15.3 point, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.30 in 32 minutes.
The 35-year old forward was in the final year of his contract and is a free agent this summer.
