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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: End of the offseason moves

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 8: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a dunk during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 8: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a dunk during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 10: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 10, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 10: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 10, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What does the Jonathon Simmons signing mean for the Orlando Magic? Can he push for starter’s minutes?

Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): It shows the identity the new front office is trying to build for this team. Simmons is a ridiculous athlete, a hustle player, and a good defender from a winning culture with the San Antonio Spurs. His offense will be his limiting factor, though. The Magic are in dire need of 3-point shooting and Simmons does not provide that. It will be hard to keep him on the floor with most of the team’s other starters — Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic — because they are not dependable shooters either. I think around 20-25 minutes a game is realistic though, which is slightly more than he averaged in the Spurs’ playoff run last year.

Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_OMD): I think this is simply a great intangible signing. It brings in a player who has a good track record as a defender and someone who can fill in a role. At best, he can push for starter’s minutes as the team’s primary perimeter defender (especially for smaller guards, maybe allowing the Magic to hide Elfrid Payton a bit more). At worst, he can play the sixth man role or be a solid bench player. And, at his salary, the worst-case scenario is not terrible either. Simmons is a player who can fit and define a culture if the team embraces the style of play. I was surprised and excited by this signing.

Ryan Doyle (@RDoyle27): The signing of Jonathon Simmons gives the fan base an idea of the type of player the new regime is looking for. He plays with tremendous effort on the defensive end and has a chip on his shoulder. Now, Simmons is not a perfect player, he is not someone who is going to push the needle much. But with how many holes the Magic have, there was not a player on the market who could fix this team. When it comes to Simmons cracking the starting lineup, he has the chance. It will be a tough hill to climb with his offensive limitations, but this team isn’t good enough to ignore that possibility.

Jonathan Treadway (@JTMagic1989): Jonathon Simmons is a terrific pickup for the Magic. On top of the fact they were able to sign him to a very reasonable deal, he brings a leadership presence, and more importantly, a hunger to be great and win that has frankly been missing on this team for a while. The addition of Simmons to the Magic brings a tremendous upside to the Magic that I believe will at the very least bolster a bench that has been lacking in depth and talent and, in the best scenario, brings out a budding talent who can help this Magic team get back to prominence. He has the physical fit and mental toughness to crack the starting lineup on a team that will be deep. The determining factor is can his defensive abilities make up for what he currently lacks on the offensive end. I believe the answer to that is yes it can.