Orlando Magic: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Luke Duffy | Sep 22, 2017

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 18: A shot of the Orlando Magic hallway during media availability on July 18, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Jonathon Simmons wins Most Improved Player of the Year Award

It’s hard to imagine any Magic player having the kind of individual season that would make people sit up and take notice, but they haven’t had a player like Jonathon Simmons in a long time.

The case could be made that the former San Antonio Spur, brought in on a great three-year, $20 million deal over the summer, only excelled with that team because of their unique system.

This is even more true when you consider Simmons has career averages of 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game so far. To date, he has appeared in 2,537 minutes between the regular season and playoffs total in his short career.

Why then does Simmons have a chance to not only become a key contributor for the Magic, but also jump into the Most Improved Player conversation by the time the season is done?

Well, he’s going to come straight in as a go-to guy, a talkative leader on the defensive end and somebody who has shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

It may not always show up in the box score, but if Simmons can double his career averages to date in a couple of key categories while keeping the Magic in the playoff hunt beyond All-Star break, he’d be as deserving a candidate as any.

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