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The Houston Rockets had a cadre of veterans at their unofficial mini-camp in Vegas, and now it appears at least one of them will be joining the party when official camp starts, as Marc Stein is reporting that the Rockets will be signing Thabo Sefolosha.
The Rockets are signing Thabo Sefolosha, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 20, 2019
Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic followed up Stein’s report to both confirm it and say that the contract is for one year at the veteran’s minimum and fully guaranteed.
The #Rockets are signing Thabo Sefolosha to a one-year, fully guaranteed, veterans minimum contract, sources tell me and @KellyIkoNBA. He impressed during the Vegas mini camp.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) September 20, 2019
Sefolosha last played for the Utah Jazz, averaging 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 12 minutes per contest this past season. He was just a role player, though he did play in 50 games on the season for the Jazz.
He’s known for his tough defense, which is something the Rockets are always after, especially on the wing. He comes with a sparkling +2.2 career defensive plus-minus and has never finished any season with lower than a +1.3.
He also has a 35.2 percent career three-point percentage, meaning he can knock down an open triple as the latest three-and-D guy on Houston’s roster, though he is 35 years old and brings very little in the way of handles or playmaking.
The Rockets seem to think he has something left, however, and he could fit a role similar to the one Luc Mbah a Moute played two years ago. He also has experience running with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, as he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008-2014.
Sefolosha is a 13-year veteran out of Switzerland, and he carries career averages of 5.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 45 percent shooting from the field.
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