Warriors Waive Marques Johnson; Nelson Calls It His Toughest Cut

The Golden State Warriors requested waivers Thursday on Marques Johnson, the veteran forward who was attempting an NBA comeback. Coach Don Nelson called it, “the toughest cut I have ever made.”

Johnson averaged only four points in his 10 games with the Warriors, playing an average of 9.9 minutes per game. Nelson said Johnson was considering playing pro basketball in Italy.

Johnson, 33, was a five-time NBA All-Star game selection between 1979 and 1986. He suffered a neck injury in November 1986 while with the Clippers and resumed his career this season with the Warriors, making the team after coming to training camp as a free agent.

The former UCLA All-American played his first seven NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, who were coached then by Nelson, and averaged more than 20 points a game in five of those seasons. With 13,892 points in his career, he ranks 67th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

“It is like cutting out a piece of my heart. I thought Marques would make it back and he has; but I also thought our team would be a solid playoff contender and he would help us win a few games. However, with our slow start, I have to look for a bigger and younger player,” said Nelson, who also serves as the team’s general manager.

“The reason I chose this particular time is because there is an opportunity for Marques to continue his basketball career in Italy,” he added. “Marques always has been and will be one of my favorite players and also a good friend.”