Suns release Abdel Nader, former first-rounder Justin Jackson

The Suns have officially waived Abdel Nader, the team announced Thursday in a press release, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Phoenix had to remove a player from its 15-man roster in order to accommodate its acquisition of Aaron Holiday.

Nader, 28, was sent from Oklahoma City to Phoenix during the 2020 offseason in the Chris Paul trade. Since then, he has appeared in 38 games with the team, averaging 5.1 points and 2.3 rebounds on .457/.386/.723 shooting in 13.2 minutes per contest.

Injuries marred Nader’s time with the Suns. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late April 2021, and while he returned from that injury in the playoffs and was available to start the 2021-22 season, that knee continued to give him problems. Nader hadn’t played for Phoenix since November and was being listed on the injury report as out due to right knee injury management.

The Suns will be on the hook for the rest of Nader’s $2M this season, but won’t owe him any money beyond that. He had a $2.16M team option for 2022-23.

Phoenix also terminated the 10-day contract of Justin Jackson, per the announcement. Jackson’s deal, signed last Tuesday, would’ve expired at the end of the day, so he’ll become a free agent a day early. Unlike Nader, Jackson won’t have to pass through waivers.