After trading Tibor Pleiss and clearing a roster spot, the Jazz aren’t just handing it to Jeff Withey, who’s on an unguaranteed deal.
He’ll have to beat out Henry Sims.
Sims has spent four seasons in the NBA, playing mostly for the 76ers. He’s big and and long, but he hasn’t separated himself with any distinct skills at age 26.
I expect Withey to earn the regular-season roster spot and provide depth behind Rudy Gobert. Not only is Withey better, he spent last season with Utah.
The Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s affiliate, already hold Sims’ D-League rights. Utah could give him a small guarantee on his NBA contract to supplement a low D-League salary and entice him to join the Stars rather than going overseas.
But Sims will at least have an opportunity to upset Withey and claim the NBA job.
