PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns lowered their preseason roster to 16 players Thursday by waiving rookie guard Kendrick Johnson.

Johnson did not play in Phoe-nix's 88-80 win over Houston in the preseason opener Wednesday night in Albuquerque.

He was signed as a free agent before training camp. He played in Greece last season.

Around the league

* The man who last coached Anthony Mason said he would have no problem recom-mend-ing the free agent forward to the Milwaukee Bucks.