Source: Fab Melo cleared waivers, now a free agent

Adrian Wojnarowski

Center Fab Melo – the 22nd pick in the 2012 NBA draft – cleared waivers on Sunday and became a free agent, a league source told Yahoo Sports.

The failure of any team to claim the 7-footer and absorb the $1.3 million owed him in 2013-14 reflects how far his standing has dropped within league front offices. The Memphis Grizzlies released Melo on Friday, two weeks after acquiring him in a deal with the Boston Celtics.

Memphis sent Donte Greene to the Celtics on Aug. 15 for Melo, but placed Melo and his $1.3 million salary on league-wide waivers. Despite Melo's penchant for blocking shots, his lack of maturity and consistent work ethic had the Celtics offering him in trades within months of drafting him.

Melo, who played parts of two seasons at Syracuse, had been a highly recruited player out of Brazil. He was the Big East's defensive player of the year in 2012. He showed flashes of potential in stops with the Celtics' D-League affiliate in Maine, delivering a 15-point, 16-rebound and league-record 14-block game.