Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Options for Suns second 2-way contract

By Khaleel Abdullah

Ryan McDonough Phoenix Suns (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Ryan McDonough Phoenix Suns (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Pierria Henry #49 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the New York Knicks during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Pierria Henry #49 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the New York Knicks during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix gets a pair of 2-way contracts each season. George King got the first. Who should get the second?

Starting last season, there has been a new type of contract called the 2-way. For those that don’t know exactly how they work, they act as a 16th and 17th roster spot for teams. The player signed to this non guaranteed contract can spend up to 45 days with the team that signs him. The rest of the deal must be spent in the G-League, which for Phoenix would be the NAZ Suns. If the player does well enough, once he’s reached that 45 day limit, the team has the option to sign him to an actual roster spot.

For young, developing players this is a good way of making an NBA team even when all their roster spots are filled. Being that the Suns have 15 players on their active roster, barring the release of a current player or a trade with another team, this is the only way another player can be signed.

Phoenix used their first 2 way contract to sign rookie and 59th overall pick in this year’s draft, George King. That leaves one more. Here are my ideas for who they should offer it to.

#8 Pierria Henry (6-5 195, 25-years-old)

He played the 2017-18 season with Turkish team Tofas, where he made 49% of his shots and 40% of his treys averaging 10.4 points, 5.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals with 2 turnovers in 29.1 minutes per game.

In 6 games with the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team he made 4 of 10 treys (40%) for 10 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.2 steals with 1.8 turnovers in 23.3 minutes.

Henry has good size for a guard and plays fast, passionate basketball. If he makes a mistake on the court, he’s quick to make up for it. A terrific passer and floor general that plays good defense and has active hands, you could do worse on a team that has a weakness at point guard.

Last season, overseas, he had some impressive games that show his all around potential. Whether he was making 5 triples for a 26 point-7assist-5 steal night with only 1 turnover or netting 8 of 11 shots for 21 points and 10 assists with only 2 turnovers or putting up a triple double with 14 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds with only 1 turnover the man has game.

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