Suns waive Canaan to clear space for Payton
Eight days after Isaiah Canaan broke his left ankle, the Phoenix Suns waived the guard on Thursday. The move cleared a roster spot for newly acquired guard Elfrid Payton.
Canaan underwent surgery Feb. 1 to repair the ankle he injured the previous day in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
"We still consider Isaiah to be a member of the Phoenix Suns family," Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said in a statement released by the team. "In speaking with Isaiah and his agent, we are fully committed to doing everything we can to help him with his rehab and recovery from his injury. This move is being made strictly to create a roster spot with Isaiah being out for the remainder of the season."
Canaan, 26, began the preseason with the Oklahoma City Thunder but was waived before the season opener. He signed with the Rockets and made one scoreless appearance for Houston in October before he was released again. He briefly signed with the Los Angeles Clippers' G League team before he was traded to the Suns in December.
In 19 games with Phoenix, Canaan averaged 9.1 points and 4.0 assists.
Payton, 23, was acquired by the Suns from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick that originally belonged to the Memphis Grizzlies.
--Field Level Media
