With centers Jerome James and Calvin Booth returning to health and likely to be activated on Friday for the Seattle SuperSonics' 2002 opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, veteran reserve big man Antonio Harvey became expendable. So, Harvey was waived today by the Sonics, ending his second stint with the team after two months.

Harvey was seen by the team as an insurance policy when the season began, but the emergence of Art Long as the Sonics' starting center turned him into an afterthought at best despite the Sonics' injury problems up front. Harvey played just five games this season, starting three of them while Booth and James were injured, and played only 47 minutes. Recurrent tendinitis in his knees hurt Harvey's ability to contribute, and he spent part of the season on the injured list.

Despite not playing heavily, Harvey contributed the wisdom and knowledge of a rare NBA veteran on the Sonics' young roster, and was also an active cheerleader on the sidelines during games.

Harvey's contract was unguaranteed, and by cutting him before January 10 (when all contracts become guaranteed for the season), the Sonics saved a pro-rated amount just over 350,000, not an inconsiderable amount for a team facing poor attendance.