Phoenix Suns Rumors: Henry Sims And Cory Jefferson Among Four Players To Compete For Roster Spots

The Phoenix Suns added some competition to their frontcourt by signing a pair of young veterans in Henry Sims and Cory Jefferson.

The Arizona Republic is reporting that Sims and Jefferson are training camp invitees, meaning that the deals — while details were not disclosed — are likely for the minimum with little or no guaranteed money.

Sims played last season with the Philadelphia 76ers and became an unrestricted free agent when the team decided not to tender him a qualifying offer. The 25-year-old averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field in 73 games. Sims, who made 32 starts, was much better as a starter than a reserve for the Sixers — he averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game as a starter.

Sims has played for three teams — Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Cleveland — over the past three seasons, where he has appeared in 121 games. For his career, Sims averages 7.8 points and 4.9 rebounds a contest. The 6-foot-10 center went undrafted out of Georgetown in 2012.

Jefferson, 24, was waived by the Brooklyn Nets in July as a cost-cutting move — if the Nets didn’t cut Jefferson, $150,000 of his non-guaranteed contract would have become guaranteed, per New York Post’sTim Bontemps. Brooklyn acquired the last pick of the 2014 draft from Philadelphia for cash on draft night.

Jefferson had to be waived today in order to avoid the Nets paying him the guaranteed money he was going to be owed Wednesday.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 13, 2015

Jefferson appeared in 50 games for the Nets last season, though he didn’t play in any of the team’s playoff games. The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 caroms in 10.7 minutes of action. He shot 44.9 percent from the field but connected on just 13.3 percent (2-of-13) of his shots beyond the arc.

Do Sims and Jefferson have a legitimate shot at making the team?

Yes, both players have a very good shot if they make a good impression during training camp and the six preseason games.

Sims is a good rebounder and defender despite not being a shot-blocker. He possesses good low-post moves — he made 62.3 percent of his shots around the bucket — and range of his jumper goes out to 18 feet. In addition, he is a good passer.

Jefferson is very athletic and an excellent rebounder, particularly on the offensive end. He has a good mid-range game, which makes him dangerous in the high post, but needs to improve his shooting proficiency from long distance and at the foul line.

Phoenix currently has 17 players under contracts, with 13 of those players holding fully-guaranteed deals. The Suns have also invited guard Terrico White and small forward Kyle Casey to training camp.

Casey is not expected to make the team and will likely be assigned to the Bakersfield Jam, the Suns D-League affiliate, according to SB Nation. White could face the same fate, as the Suns already have many guards with guaranteed deals — Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, Ronnie Price, Devin Booker, and Sonny Weems.

The Suns frontcourt situation is a little murkier. Tyson Chandler and Markieff Morris, if he is not traded, are set as starters, while Alex Len should also get plenty of court time. That leaves specialists Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer, though small forwards T.J. Warren and P.J. Tucker could see time at power forward if Phoenix goes small.

[Photo by Jason Miller / Getty Images]