PHOENIX SUNS

Suns waive forward Anthony Bennett, guard Peter Jok

Oct 11, 2017, 2:31 PM | Updated: Oct 12, 2017, 8:39 am

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)...

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

LISTEN: Ryan McDonough, Suns GM

The Phoenix Suns waived forward and 2013 first-overall pick Anthony Bennett along with rookie guard Peter Jok on Wednesday.

Both sat out the Suns’ last preseason game Monday against the Utah Jazz due to injuries.

Bennett was listed as out with a lower back strain, and Jok had a right groin strain.

“Those two guys are targeted to go play for our G League team in Prescott Valley for the Northern Arizona Suns,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

McDonough added that an ankle sprain and the back injury didn’t allow the Suns to get a good look at Bennett through camp.

After being picked first by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bennett has never averaged more than the 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds on 42 percent shooting in 16 minutes per night for the T-Wolves in 2014-15.

His greatest successes have come in FIBA tournaments with the Canadian National team, where he formed a relationship with current Suns assistant Jay Triano, the team’s head coach, while finding his role as an athletic, energy big man.

There did not appear to be a spot on the Suns’ roster for Bennett, who would have been playing behind forwards Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren, all of whom are Phoenix first-round picks.

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Jok came to camp to showcase his shooting prowess for a roster that was hit by injuries to shooting guards Brandon Knight and Davon Reed. The Suns filled their backup role by trading for Troy Daniels just before the start of training camp.

Jok, an Iowa product, told the Des Moines Register upon signing a training camp deal he expected to join the Suns’ G League squad in Prescott Valley if he did not make the Phoenix roster.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker's playable character in Call of Duty...

Bailey Leasure

Call of Duty teases Devin Booker as new playable character

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will be available as a playable character in Call of Duty starting in May.

1 hour ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Empire of the Suns: Reaction to Suns still turning the ball over as of Game 2 of the playoffs

The Timberwolves scored 31 points off turnovers as the Phoenix Suns fell apart in Game 2 of the first-round series. Kellan Olson and Kevin Zimmerman react.

11 hours ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolve...

Kellan Olson

Suns unravel in usual fashion, T-Wolves take commanding 2-0 lead

The Phoenix Suns have made a habit this year of spiraling through self-inflicted mistakes and that continued in a Game 2 loss.

12 hours ago

Mike Conley plays to the T-Wolves crowd in a Game 2 win against the Suns...

Dan Bickley

Suns look more ready for offseason than playoff run after Game 2 loss to T-Wolves

The best three players in the Suns' Game 2 loss were all Timberwolves. Phoenix seems ready for a long offseason more than a playoff run.

14 hours ago

Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen reinjures ankle vs. Timberwolves in Game 2

Grayson Allen reinjured an ankle sprain in Game 2 of Phoenix Suns' matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

16 hours ago

Kevin Durant in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves...

Kevin Zimmerman

Suns fall down 0-2 to T-Wolves with familiar turnover issues looming in series

The Phoenix Suns' defense overcame a turnover-filled start in Game 2 to draw nearly even against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

16 hours ago

Suns waive forward Anthony Bennett, guard Peter Jok