Suns waive Cole Anthony, clear spot for Jamaree Bouyea

The Suns have officially waived guard Cole Anthony, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

The move had long been expected.

Anthony arrived in Phoenix as part of a salary-driven deadline maneuver, and reporting at the time indicated he would likely be released.

The Suns waited, in part to explore buyout possibilities and in part because of backcourt injuries, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro and Gerald Bourguet of Suns After Dark.

Coach Jordan Ott recently acknowledged Anthony’s roster spot provided emergency depth, though the guard never reported to the team.

A former first-round pick, Anthony spent five seasons in Orlando before being dealt to Memphis and later landing in Milwaukee on a minimum contract. He averaged 6.7 points in 35 games with the Bucks this season before being rerouted to Phoenix in a tax-related trade.

The Suns are expected to use the open roster spot to promote two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea. That would create a two-way vacancy Phoenix must fill by next week’s deadline.

Anthony will clear waivers Sunday if unclaimed. Because he was waived before March 1, he remains playoff-eligible should another team call.