Jazz Waive Kevin Murphy, Dee Bost

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

The Jazz have waived wing Kevin Murphy and point guard Dee Bost, the team announced earlier today. The move leaves the team with 17 players on the active roster with just over two weeks to go before the season opener.

Murphy was originally drafted by Utah in the second round in 2012, and this was his second brief stint with the team. He made very limited appearances in both Monday’s open scrimmage and Tuesday’s preseason opener against Portland, where he had four points plus a board and an assist. Bost appeared only in the open scrimmage.

Beat man Jody Genessy tweeted along with the news that both players were likely viewed as D-League prospects when invited to Jazz camp in August, making the move somewhat expected. Because Bost and Murphy ended last season with the Idaho Stampede, Idaho have “returning player” rights should Bost and Murphy sign in the D-League. Both Bost and Murphy, sources indicate, are extremely likely to begin next season in Idaho.

Like any D-League player without an NBA contract, any NBA team could choose to call up Bost or Murphy to their roster. However, the Stampede are implementing Quin Snyder’s new system in Idaho, meaning Bost, Murphy, and other prospects on the Stampede are more easily able to integrate with the Jazz should they be signed to an NBA contract. The Jazz consider Bost and Murphy real NBA prospects, and will keep close tabs on Bost and Murphy’s performance in Boise in Utah’s quest to find the next Danny Green.

The move leaves only a couple potential roster spots open, and it’s generally assumed that Dahntay Jones, Jack Cooley, Brock Motum and Toure’ Murry will be in competition for them, though Genessy also opines (and is likely correct) that Murry appears something of a lock to make the roster, given his $250,000 guarantee amount. All will, of course, likely be deep bench pieces used sparingly, though injuries could open up playing time for some.

Salt City Hoops managing editor Andy Larsen contributed to this report.