Don’t Sleep On Jonathon Simmons

One of the most surprising moves that the Spurs made all summer was the signing of wing Jonathon Simmons. Simmons was signed to a two-year deal, the first season of the contract is guaranteed.
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Simmons averaged 12 points and 4.7 rebounds with the Brooklyn Nets in the Orlando Summer League. With the Spurs he averaged 17 points and 4 rebounds in the Las Vegas Summer League. Simmons and Kyle Anderson led the Spurs to a Summer League Championship. Simmons was awarded the Summer League Championship MVP.
The Spurs lost Marco Belinelli in the offseason, which means that there will be some small minutes available. Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili, and Ray McCallum are expected to be the Spurs bench backcourt.
Simmons has the ability to play either wing spot, as he is 6’6, 195-pounds.
Last year, the 25-year old averaged 15.2 points and 3.7 assists with the Austin Spurs (D-League). He was selected to the NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team last year. Aside from being a strong defender, he shot 40% from three-point range.
With no true small forward coming off the bench other than Kyle Anderson, Simmons can compete for backup minutes. Anderson of course has the edge, as he was the Spurs best player in Summer League action. Anderson averaged 18.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 10 Summer League contests. He is a terrific ball-handler and passer at 6’9.
Simmons won’t be your typical rookie, he graduated from Houston University in 2012. He has spent the last three years in the D-League, waiting for the opportunity he now has.
Don’t be surprised if Simmons is part of the Spurs rotation next season, he can do multiple things off the Spurs bench.
Below are Jonathon Simmons highlights from the Summer League Championship Game. This video was uploaded by FreeDawkins.