Chris Owens's NBA career always seemed to hinge on past accomplishments and a reconstructed knee.

But neither proved strong enough as the Grizzlies waived the forward Wednesday, trimming their roster to 17 players.

NBA teams can employ just 15 players when the regular season begins late next month. Training camp tips off on Saturday with young players (less-than-four-years experience) reporting. Grizzly veterans report on Monday.

The Griz traded for Owens's draft rights in 2002 after Milwaukee made him the 48th pick overall (second round). He was taken despite surgery on Jan. 29, 2002, to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

Owens, 6-7, 245 pounds, underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process, and was able to appear in just one game his rookie season. In summer league play, Owens played sparingly in six of nine games.

The emergence of forward Theron Smith made expendable Owens and the recently departed Mike Batiste.

Griz president Jerry West said releasing Owens before camp allows him to pursue other opportunities.

"Chris has worked hard in the past year-and-a-half to rehabilitate his knee and he's been a real professional on the team," West said. "However, it appears that he cannot reach his full potential at this time when our current roster has a number of very good players at the forward position."