Suns waive Mike James, reportedly sign Isaiah Canaan to minimum deal
Dec 22, 2017, 9:16 PM | Updated: Dec 24, 2017, 12:41 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
After joining the Suns on a hardship exception, guard Isaiah Canaan will remain with in Phoenix after reportedly being signed to a minimum deal.
To make room for Canaan, the Suns announced Saturday that they waived guard Mike James, who was signed to a standard contract on Dec. 7 after his two-way contract expired on Dec. 6.
Sources: Suns are signing guard Isaiah Canaan to a minimum deal for the remainder of the season. Canaan has averaged 13 points, 5 assists since joining team on hardship exception.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 23, 2017
Canaan was signed with the Suns on a hardship waiver due to the injuries to Devin Booker and Davon Reed.
Now, he will reportedly remain with the Suns after averaging 13 points per game along with five assists over the course of four games with Phoenix.
After Canaan scored a career high 17 points in the Suns’ win over Dallas on Monday, Suns GM Ryan McDonough spoke highly of the 26-year-old guard, eluding to a contract that would keep him in Phoenix for the remainder of the season.
“I think with what Isaiah’s done, we should plan on having him in Phoenix for the rest of the year, if not longer,” he said Wednesday.
As guard Devin Booker prepares to return after straining his left adductor against Toronto on Dec. 5, the Suns had to make a choice on who to waive and who to sign to free up Booker’s roster spot.
Canaan got the nod over James.
As first reported by Yahoo Sports NBA Insider Shams Charania, James now has the ability to sign with a different team to finish the season.
James was first invited to Summer League by the Suns two years ago. After stints in Europe with various professional teams, the Suns signed James to a two-way contract, guaranteeing him 45 days with Phoenix.
From there, the Suns either had to waive James or sign him to a standard contract through the 2017-18 season or beyond. He was signed to a standard contract on Dec. 7.
James has appeared in 32 games this season for the Suns, averaging just over 20 minutes and 10.9 points per game.
The Suns’ roster is now at 17 players.
