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Orlando Magic: 3 most disappointing players of the season so far

By Luke Duffy

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 08: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 08: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Jonathon Simmons

It is sometimes easy to forget that the Jonathon Simmons now plying his trade with the Magic is the same spark plug who came off the bench for some deep Spurs outfits only a few years ago.

In his second year with Orlando, it looks like that feisty energy has vanished from his game. You could argue this is because of the culture within the organization that has zapped Simmons of his approach to the game, and you wouldn’t be wrong.

Unfortunately for him, the intangibles he brings to the court, especially defensively, made up a lot of what was to like about his game. Career averages of 8.7 points and 1.8 assists weren’t the reason the Magic signed him to a three-year, $20 million deal in the summer of 2017.

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Simmons was seen as a guy who could lead the young players on the roster and infuse a winning mentality within them from his aforementioned time with one of the most successful franchises of the last 20 years in the Spurs.

So far this year though, he is averaging only 7.2 points and 2.2 assists per game, although Orlando has a better defensive rating (105.4) when Simmons is on the court than they are posting overall (109.4).

Simmons has yet to start a game for the Magic, and in theory, the combination of Terrence Ross and himself coming off the bench should be an ideal combo to keep Orlando competitive on both ends of the court when their starters head to the bench.

Ross has done all that has been asked of him so far this season, but the same cannot be said of Simmons. On a larger scale, his play is hurting his trade value should the Magic want to go in a different direction.

Head coach Steve Clifford, who loves players who play hard and is known for being defensive-minded, should be enamored with a guy like Simmons. To add to that, Simmons should be thriving in a system that promotes and recognizes defensive effort, but it just hasn’t happened so far.

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