It’s clear that the Utah Jazz need many things, two of them being a 3-point shooter and a guy that can create his own shot. Jonathon Simmons checks off one of those attributes.
Yes, we’re still early in the 2018-19 season. However, Utah Jazz fans have, rightfully so, begun envisioning potential trades and acquisitions. While scouring realistic trade options around the league, a player from the Orlando Magic stood out: Jonathon Simmons.
Now, Simmons isn’t a good 3-point shooter, but he can create his own shot and make things happen offensively. At the very least, Simmons could help ease the offensive load Donovan Mitchell has to carry on a nightly basis.
When you think of who the Jazz could give up to get Simmons, the trade idea becomes even more enticing. A clean swap of Simmons for Thabo Sefolosha would work. Sefolosha has barely played this year for the Jazz and is on an attractive expiring contract that the rebuilding Magic would be more than willing to take on.
Simmons is on the books until the 2019-20 season and hasn’t contributed much to Orlando this year, so it’s not unreasonable to think the Magic would consider this trade. If the Jazz are desperate, and think Simmons can really help this team, they could throw in a second-round draft pick to complete the deal.
The former San Antonio Spur is no slouch. Jonathon Simmons can put the ball in the basket. He actually reminds me a bit of Alec Burks, but with a stronger body and much better defensive ability. He’s a two-way player, but again, lacks a reliable 3-point shot. Still, if the Magic don’t want to have Simmons’ salary (even though it’s a reasonable $6 million) on the books for the 2019-20 season, and are willing to do a straight up swap for Sefolosha, I think the Jazz should jump on this.
Last season, Simmons averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three assists per game for the Magic. This year, with a healthy Terrence Ross on the roster, Simmons has seen his averages dip to eight points, three rebounds and two assists per game. He’s shooting 30.8 percent from the field and 21.9 percent from deep. However, last season he shot 46.5 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from deep.
Simmons had the opportunity to play with LeBron James in Cleveland when he was a free agent a year ago. However, being the ferocious competitor he is, he turned it down. His reasoning: he wanted to go up against guys like LeBron, in big-time moments. Well, he could do that in Utah, since the Jazz are better than the Magic and since LeBron is now in the West playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.