This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With 14 guaranteed salaries on the roster heading into training camp, the 15th and final spot for the Utah Jazz was always likely going to come down to Chris Johnson or Jeff Withey.
This weekend, the Jazz made their choice, waiving Johnson on Saturday, clearing the way for Withey to make the team.
It was a difficult decision for Utah to make. With Johnson, the Jazz had a hard-working defensive wing, one who has played rotation minutes for much of the past two seasons. Johnson was an energy guy: Tough, and athletic. He was an improving shooter from the corners, and a quiet and well-liked figure in the lockerroom.
"I've never seen anyone work harder," Utah point guard Dante Exum said. "He was always someone who gave his all, and he was someone who always had a nice thing to say when I was feeling down."
Ultimately, the Jazz needed Withey's presence on the roster a bit more, which is why he made it.
Beyond Rudy Gobert, Withey is the only other true center on Utah's roster. Yes, Derrick Favors and Boris Diaw can both play the position, Favors a bit better and more frequently than Diaw. But, as was the case last season, if Gobert misses time, Withey would step in as the starter.
Plus, Withey is a solid rim protector, a skill that's needed in today's NBA. He stepped in and played solid minutes last January when needed, and has shown the ability to do so again.
With Withey in the fold, the Jazz have six big men. When everyone is healthy, Withey may actually be sixth in the pecking order — even behind rookie Joel Bolomboy. But for a 15th man on an NBA roster, Withey's set of skills projects to be very valuable.
Meanwhile, his teammates took to social media to compliment Johnson and the time he spent with the Jazz.
He originally started with the team as a guy with a few 10-day contracts. He became a part of the group, with his play on the court and his temperament in the lockerroom.
"He's a guy, you want to go and adjust the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) and go to the owners meeting for a guy like that," Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said. "He's someone you're grateful to 10 years from now, because he laid a foundation for your team. That's not to close the door on anything, but it's just roster considerations. He did everything he could for our team. Our guys have a tremendous amount of respect for him."
Favors nearing a return?
Starting power forward Favors — who hasn't played since the preseason opener — didn't practice officially on Sunday, but increased his activity.
He went through most of the non-contact part of practice, including some 5-on-0 situations in the offense, and some running.
Snyder said he isn't ruling Favors out of Tuesday's season-opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, even if they won't know one way or the other until closer to game time.
"He's improving daily," Snyder said. "He has limited activity based on where he is. We want to keep him rested, but we're not ready to make that decision yet. He has been able to go up and down (run), so that's encouraging."
Briefly
Shooting guard Rodney Hood went through another practice and appears to be fully healthy from the sprained hand that caused him to miss a portion of the preseason. … Joe Johnson (rest) was held out of Sunday's practice. … Diaw (leg contusion), practiced on Sunday, after missing the previous two practices. … Alec Burks (knee) and Gordon Hayward (finger) both continue to be out. … Quincy Ford — who was waived by the Jazz, signed by the New Orleans Pelicans and waived on Saturday during final cuts — will return to the Jazz organization and play with the D-League SLC Stars, league sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune.
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