5:05pm: The Mavericks have made Gibson’s release official, announcing it in a press release that also confirmed Jackson’s deal with the team.
11:12am: In order to make room for incoming guard Pierre Jackson, the Mavericks will waive Jonathan Gibson from their roster, reports Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Dallas had been carrying the maximum 15 players, so the team needed to cut a player before the signing of Jackson could become official.
[RELATED: Mavericks to sign Pierre Jackson]
The decision to waive Gibson comes as no real surprise. As I noted earlier today, Gibson and Dorian Finney-Smith had been the only players on the Mavs’ roster without a fully guaranteed contract. Finney-Smith’s roster spot is safe, and Dallas would have had to eat a chunk of guaranteed salary to cut any other player on the roster. By waiving Gibson, the Mavs will simply take a small cap hit for a prorated portion of his non-guaranteed contract.
Gibson, who was cut by the Mavs at the end of the preseason, rejoined the team last month after a series of injuries decimated the backcourt. The 29-year-old was forced into action shortly after he rejoined the club, but as players returned from injuries, his playing time dwindled. Gibson had played less than 10 total minutes for Dallas over the last two weeks.
In 17 total games for the Mavs, Gibson averaged 6.2 PPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.3 RPG in 13.6 minutes per contest. His best game with the team was his second one — he poured in 26 points in Orlando back on November 19.
Assuming Gibson is officially released today and goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll return to the unrestricted free agent market on Thursday.