Pistons Waive Johnson to Stay Under Cap

Vinnie Johnson, nicknamed “Microwave” for his ability to come off the bench hot, was waived by the Detroit Pistons Wednesday to get them under the NBA salary cap.

Johnson’s jump shot in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA finals gave the Pistons a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers and their second consecutive title. Johnson, 35, is Detroit’s fifth-leading scorer with 10,146 points.

Other NBA teams have 48 hours to claim Johnson but would have to pay his $1.5-million salary.

Detroit has an untried corps of backup guards. Behind Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars are second-year pro Lance Blanks, rookie Doug Overton and Jeff Martin, recently acquired from the Clippers.