After having a trade to the Toronto Raptors called off due to a troublesome knee injury, Mickael Pietrus has been waived by the Phoenix Suns, the team confirmed Thursday night. Pietrus is guaranteed $5.3 million this season, and teams have 48 hours to claim him off waivers before he becomes a free agent.
Here's more from ESPN's Marc Stein:
Pietrus was actually traded to the Toronto Raptors earlier this month for a conditional second-round pick, but the Raptors rescinded the trade after Pietrus' troublesome right knee was flagged by the Raptors during his physical.
The trade also called for the Suns to pay $1 million to Toronto and left little doubt that Pietrus -- acquired from Orlando as part of the December deal to acquire center Marcin Gortat and create some salary-cap flexibility for the summer of 2012 -- no longer has a future in Phoenix.
Pietrus has talent as a shooter and slasher, and his defense is above average, but he's never been able to put it all together mentally. Wherever he lands will probably get a huge discount on his services, and he could be a bargain.
For more on Phoenix, visit Bright Side of the Suns.