Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2018
5. Jonathon Simmons (3 years, $18 million)
Jonathon Simmons was a tough player to figure out when the Orlando Magic first signed him.
Initially, they thought they were getting a budding star already established defensively. The question was whether he could truly expand his role or whether this was just a player who showed a strong flash in the Playoffs. The Magic had a bad experience paying a player for Playoff performance before.
Simmons was intriguing with his time with the San Antonio Spurs. He was a good defender, where he cut his teeth and earned Gregg Popovich’s trust. And when given the chance, a great driver and someone who put pressure on the defense. He came in saying he felt constricted in Popovich’s offense. He wanted the freedom and the opportunity the Magic would give him.
It has been an up-and-down season for him. Simmons started off on fire, working mainly off the bench. He was averaging close to 16 points per game as the Magic zoomed up the standings. He has struggled at times to find his shot though. Simmons is still not the best shooter on the team.
But his second wind of late has him contributing at a high level. His 34-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday is a reminder of what this talented player can do.
The perception around the league appears to remain that Simmons is a lock-down defender and potential sixth man scorer. It seems everyone wants to write off his struggles as part and parcel of playing with a Magic team going nowhere. They want to believe games like Tuesday are his ceiling. And his floor is what he was last year with the Spurs.
Everyone considers that contract a bargain too. A front-loaded deal that is already a relatively low $6.3 million. The Magic got Simmons at a good price and are getting fantastic production for the value.
Other teams see that value and if the Magic put him on the market, would likely have a lot of suitors.
It does not seem likely Orlando is ready to move on. Jeff Weltman signed him this summer and was the prized free agent of his first offseason. It is safe to assume the team views him as part of the team’s future.
But for the right deal, every player has to be considered. And Simmons might be the most valuable of any veteran on the roster.