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HoopsHype: Jonathon Simmons one of the biggest free agency steals

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Langston Galloway #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the game on March 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Langston Galloway #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the game on March 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic got a huge bargain in signing Jonathon Simmons to a three-year, $18 million deal. And HoopsHype says it was one of the NBA’s steals.

The NBA is still catching up to the new reality of its TV deal and the money it brought into the league.

Last summer, the league spent like gangbusters to get up to the new reality — a nearly $20 million increase in the salary cap. This year saw a more modest gain and increase. And teams were not as willing to spend. There are still a few players — not to mention several restricted free agents — who are still waiting for their turn.

At this point — and to the Orlando Magic’s benefit — those players appear to be taking whatever they can get so they can get back into the free agency cycle next summer.

The Magic did not have a ton of money to spend this summer after spending a good chunk of change last summer. Orlando had to be shrewd with how they spent. And so patience was the order of the day. The team needed to find bargains and strike when the opportunity was right.

By all accounts, they did that. And they did that with Jonathon Simmons for perhaps the biggest free agency steal of the summer.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype named Simmons and his three-year, $18 million deal with the Magic, one of the biggest steals of the free agency period.

"At the end of the day, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing for Orlando. Simmons turned heads throughout his time in San Antonio and showed glimpses of the player he could become if given more minutes and responsibilities. This is the first splashy move for Jeff Weltman and John Hammond since taking over Orlando’s front office, and it’s a smart pick-up. If Simmons breaks out and reaches his full potential, the Magic landed a steal on a great contract. If this doesn’t work out, they protected themselves by inking Simmons to a relatively short deal that they can easily get out of after two seasons."

Simmons certainly seems like he is on the cusp of breaking out if he could get a larger role.

He averaged just 6.2 points per game in 17.8 minutes per game. But in the Playoffs, when his minutes increased to 20.4 per game, he averaged 10.5 points per game. And when Kawhi Leonard went out with an injury, Simmons stepped his game up further. He averaged 15.3 points per game in 27.5 minutes per game in the Western Conference Finals.

Simmons still has his struggles as a shooter. And the Magic are not likely handing him a starring role — or even a starter’s role. But Simmons’ role overall will take a step up in Orlando.

That was something Simmons was looking for in eventually leaving the San Antonio Spurs.

Simmons said he felt sometimes constrained in San Antonio. He believed moving to a more wide-open style would be a better fit for him. That is something the Magic might be able to provide.

What was truly surprising is the Magic, with their limited cap room were able to get him on the deal he signed.

At the beginning of the summer, it looked like Simmons was due for a major payday. Even though he was a restricted free agent. But his market never really developed. And he sat on the heap waiting for an offer to come. The Spurs did a favor rescinding his qualifying offer and letting him into unrestricted free agency.

The Magic struck from there. And even if he ends up being exactly what he was in San Antonio — a strong defender who can go on scoring bursts — Orlando got a good bargain.

Next: Orlando Magic bringing back Arron Afflalo

Undoubtedly, the Magic got a bargain and one of free agency’s biggest steals.