Raja Bell Waived by Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have waived veteran shooting guard Raja Bell, according to the team’s official website.
Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the team will pay the remainder of Bell’s contract, but the veteran will be ineligible to play for any other team during the 2013 postseason:
Bell did not play in a game this season for the Jazz but remains adamant that he will play once again in the NBA (h/t Oram):
Utah and the veteran guard had been at a stalemate for the better part of a month, and this appears to be the only way the franchise intended this relationship to end.
The Jazz did not want to waive Bell during the season and allow him to sign on with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that showed interest in him (h/t Salt Lake Tribune) and is in direct competition with Utah in the Western Conference.
The veteran saw his numbers drastically cut in 2011-12 after having a solid season as a bench presence for the Jazz in 2010-11. After appearing in 34 games last year and none this season, the journeyman will finally have a chance to sign elsewhere.
Bell will likely have to wait until the offseason to find a team that fits his needs. As for this season, no franchise in contention will waste a roster spot on a player who will not be available for the playoffs.
Look for teams like the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and other cap-strapped teams that feel they are a piece or two away from winning a championship to consider signing Bell in 2013-14 for the veteran minimum.
As a bench presence or a starting shooting guard, Bell isn’t done making an impact on the NBA.
He is done making an impact in Utah, though.
