The San Antonio Spurs waived swingman Michael Finley after nearly five seasons Monday, giving the 15-year veteran a chance to finish the season with more playing time elsewhere.
The Spurs said they honored Finley's request to be released from his contract, which was in its final year after he exercised a $2.5 million option this season. Finley, who turns 37 this week, will be eligible to sign with a playoff contender.
"I was very surprised, but we granted his request," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said before San Antonio played the Hornets. "That's for other teams to decide if they think he can be useful. But we did grant him his release before the deadline so he would have the opportunity to play someplace in the playoffs if he so desired."
Finley lost his starting job this season and missed several weeks with a sprained ankle. He appeared in only 25 games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds.
The former All-Star joined the Spurs in 2005 in search of an NBA championship, and he finally got one in 2007. He started all but five games last season but became a bench player after the Spurs signed Richard Jefferson last summer.
Although he seemed disappointed that Finley wanted to leave, Popovich had nothing negative to say about him and indicated that Finley maintained his professionalism even as he apparently grew more frustrated with his lack of playing time.
"On and off the court, he set a great example for everybody and he was a joy to have in the program the entire time he was here," Popovich said.
Finley ranks fourth in Spurs history in three-pointers made and attempted. He was drafted by Phoenix in 1995 and spent the peak of his career in Dallas, where he played eight-plus seasons.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
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