Minnesota Lynx Waive Guard Jennifer O'Neill

The Lynx announced Wednesday afternoon that they have waived guard Jennifer O'Neill.

The news came two days after the Lynx traded the injured Monica Wright to Seattle in exchange for guard Renee Montgomery.

O'Neill survived initial roster cuts in early June, most likely due to Wright's injury and questionable timetable of return. Montgomery is a more proven player and better sized for the league than O'Neill, so this roster move makes more sense for the Lynx moving forward.

According to the Star Tribune's Kent Youngblood, O'Neill's salary would have been guaranteed after today, so Minnesota had to make a decision. In the end, the cap space will better benefit the team.

Prior to joining the WNBA, O'Neill played for Kentucky. The 5'7" guard finished her career with the Wildcats among the school's all-time leaders in 3-point shots made (No. 2), games played (No. 6) and points scored (No. 12). During the 2014-2015 season, O'Neill notched 29 double-digit scoring games and ranked sixth in the SEC for scoring.

O'Neill played in 12 games for Minnesota this season, averaging 8.2 minutes on the floor. Over that time, she averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. Despite receiving limited minutes, O'Neill played with tenacity and made every minute count. Head coach Cheryl Reeve often complimented the guard on her spirit and willingness to work hard and play through mistakes.

Montgomery played her first game with the Lynx Wednesday, and she played 12 minutes off the bench and added four points. Unfortunately, Minnesota landed on the wrong end of a heart-wrenching 78-77 overtime loss to Connecticut.

The team is currently without major roster members in Lindsay Whalen (eye) and Seimone Augustus (knee), but Reeve credited the loss to poor play and not to the absence of the two starters.

"We don't make excuses," Reeve said in a post-game presser. "And that was a game that we should have won. You guys will talk about not having [Lindsay Whalen] and [Seimone Augustus] and [Monica Wright] and all that, and that's nothing to do with it. So I don't want anyone to use that as an excuse."

With the All-Star break this weekend, hopefully the Lynx can use the time off to adjust to the new-look roster and get Whalen back in the lineup.

Minnesota's next game will be one week from today, June 29, against the Los Angeles Sparks.