Making the most of every stop on his path to the NBA, Jonathon Simmons has finally found stability after signing a three-year deal to join the Orlando Magic.
Jonathon Simmons is getting a great return on a $150 investment he made on himself five years ago.
After he failed to be drafted in 2013, Simmons paid his own $150 registration fee to try out for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League. Simmons spent parts of four years in the D-League before landing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
After signing a deal with the Spurs in 2015, his place in the league was hardly permanent, as he was assigned to the D-League and recalled eight times in a two-year span.
Last season, Simmons was a catalyst for San Antonio’s “Juice Unit,” a group of reserves that served as one of the best benches in the league.
The Spurs surprisingly renounced their rights to Simmons last season. The move erased his status as a restricted free agent, opening up a bidding war for his services. Simmons signed a three-year deal to join the Orlando Magic, finally securing a long-term home in the NBA.
Almost immediately, Simmons has provided a much-needed offensive spark to a listless Magic offense. Orlando posted the second-lowest offensive rating in the league last year, but Simmons provides a much-needed slasher at the rim.
The 28-year-old led the Magic in minutes played (24.3) and was second in points (13.7) and steals per game (1.3) in preseason play.
With Orlando’s season opener against Miami rapidly approaching, here are five goals for Simmons for his debut season with his new team.