Clippers release Stephen Jackson, add guards following Chris Paul's injury
Stephen Jackson has been released by the Clippers. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)
The Clippers announced Tuesday the release of veteran forward Stephen Jackson.
Jackson, 35, was picked up by Los Angeles back in early December following a rash of injuries to Matt Barnes, J.J. Redick and Reggie Bullock. By waiving him Tuesday, the Clippers avoided guaranteeing his contract for the rest of the season.
In nine appearances, Jackson averaged 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game. The 14-year veteran holds career averages of 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
The roster move comes as the Clippers shift their attention to filling out their point guard rotation following the loss of All-Star Chris Paul to a separated shoulder. Paul is expected to be sidelined for six weeks, although his injury did not require surgery.
“Stephen was everything I needed him to be, great attitude, great in the locker room, which is something that we needed from a veteran player," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said, according to Clippers.com. "Once Chris went down we needed guards and in my opinion, multiple guards. We’ve already signed one and we’ll probably sign another here in the next day. It’s just what we had to do.”
The Clippers signed 23-year-old guard Darius Morris to a 10-day contract on Monday.
ESPN.com reported Tuesday that the Clippers will sign Maalik Wayns to a 10-day contract after releasing him earlier this week.
Morris, a 2011 second-round pick, holds career averages of 4.1 points and 1.6 assists in three seasons with the Lakers, Sixers and Clippers.
Wayns, a 22-year-old guard who went undrafted out of Villanova in 2012, holds career averages of 2.8 points and 1 assist in one season with the Sixers and Clippers.
