Backup point guard John Lucas III was waived by the Timberwolves Saturday afternoon, hours before the team hosted Utah at Target Center.
Signed by the Wolves on Aug. 24, Lucas, who had been out of the NBA since 2015, made the roster out off training camp. Lucas, who played for Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau when both were in Chicago, appeared in five games with the Wolves. He averaged 2.2 minutes, 0.4 points and 0.2 steals.
The move comes with a deadline looming. After Jan. 10 all veteran contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season. The Wolves roster currently stands at 14 and gives the team flexibility to make a move. Teams could start signing players to 10-day contracts as of Thursday.
Lucas was the fourth point guard on a roster that also included Ricky Rubio, rookie Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones.
Shabazz Muhammad, who missed Friday's game in Washington due to an illness, remains questionable for tonight.
