Phoenix Suns Waive Guard Cole Anthony: Roster Spot Opens Up for Two-Way Players
The Phoenix Suns have decided to waive guard Cole Anthony, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania. This move creates an open roster spot that the Suns may use to bring in one of their two-way players, with Jamaree Bouyea and Isaiah Livers being the top candidates. Anthony, along with Amir Coffey, was acquired by the Suns from the Milwaukee Bucks before the trade deadline in February, in exchange for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. The trade was made to help the Suns stay under the luxury tax threshold by shedding Richards' $5 million contract. Coffey has seen playing time recently due to injuries to key players, while Anthony never got the chance to join the team.
Cole Anthony, a 25-year-old combo guard, was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic as the 15th overall pick in 2020. He spent his first five seasons in Orlando, where he averaged 12.5 points per game and started in 125 out of 320 games played. In June, Anthony was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a deal that involved Desmond Bane, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick swap. Following a contract buyout by Memphis, Anthony signed with the Bucks. During his time with Milwaukee this season, Anthony averaged 6.7 points and 3.5 assists on 42.4% shooting in 15.1 minutes per game across 35 games.
With the decision to waive Cole Anthony, the Phoenix Suns are looking to make adjustments to their roster as they continue their pursuit of success in the NBA. This move allows them to explore other options and potentially bring in a new player to strengthen their lineup. As the Suns navigate the remainder of the season, they will be evaluating their roster and making strategic decisions to enhance their competitiveness in the league.