Las Vegas • The Utah Jazz waived power forward Boris Diaw ahead of his contract guarantee date, league sources told The Salt Lake Tribune.
In a move first reported by Yahoo, the Jazz cut ties with Diaw because they couldn't find a taker for his contract, sources said.
The move saved the Jazz $7.5 million in salary for next season.
Waiving Diaw was a formality after that. The Jazz signed big men Jonas Jerebko and Epke Udoh on Wednesday and also have Derrick Favors and Joe Johnson at the power forward slot.
Diaw made an impact for the Jazz in his only season, averaging 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Diaw emerged as Utah's starting power forward with Favors injured for much of the season. He was an engaging locker room personality and served as a mentor for Rudy Gobert, his countryman from France.
Diaw has interest on the free agency market, sources said.
tjones@sltrib.com
Twitter: @tribjazz
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Brooklyn Nets forward Quincy Acy (13) and Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) go for the ball during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday March 3, 2017. Utah Jazz defeated Brooklyn Nets 112-97.
Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) reaches for the ball after batting it from LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during first half play. Utah took a 58-49 lead at the half of Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff series, Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) gets sandwiched between LA Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) and LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during first half play. Utah took a 58-49 lead at the half of Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff series, Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) shoots past Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday, April 28, 2017.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) go for a rebound during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday, April 28, 2017.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) defended by Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) as the Utah Jazz face the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, Sunday April 30, 2017.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) defended by LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) as the Utah Jazz face the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, Sunday April 30, 2017.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) shoots over LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) as the Utah Jazz face the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, Sunday April 30, 2017.
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) passes away from the Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) during NBA playoff game between the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland Tuesday May 2, 2017.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) as the Utah Jazz host the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the second round, NBA playoff basketball in Salt Lake City, Saturday May 6, 2017.