NBA Rumors: Simmons Working Way Back With Warriors G-League Team

To some, the name of Jonathan Simmons may not ring a bell. The 30-year-old is one of many overlooked NBA free agents who failed to suit up this 2019-20 season. However, the 6-foot-6 swingman is not about to give up his pro hoop dream just yet. In fact, he is working on an NBA return.

According to a tweet by CNBC, the former San Antonio Spurs player will be signing with the Golden State Warriors affiliate G-League team Santa Cruz. Curiously, Simmons was offered multiple 10-day contract deals in the NBA but opted to take the G-League route instead.

Probably aware that a 10-day deal won't cut it, Simmons prefers to get back into the groove with a regular team in the G-League. He was waived by the Washington Wizards last summer after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons holds career averages of 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. He has played a total of 258 games with his best year back during the 2017-18 NBA season with the Orlando Magic.

From there it was simply back-and-forth for the 30-year-old cager. He was invited by the San Antonio Spurs but was thrown to and from the NBA and the D-League. Seeming getting nowhere, Simmons caught a break and joined the Magic in 2017. He would stay there for two years before getting shipped last summer to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Markelle Fultz trade. It was a short stop for him with Philly sending him packing to the Wizards. That is where his NBA career was placed on pause.

Though not a big name player, Simmons feels he can still be useful to any team in need of a backup wingman. He owns a 48.7 percent clip from the field and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc. It all depends on how his G-League stint goes.

Simmons has time to prove himself and get himself in game shape. With the 2019-20 NBA season in the homestretch, he could be a curious free agent in the summer. Also, the fact that he is playing for the Warriors affiliate team could lead to a call from Dubs coach Steve Kerr. Simmons does have options but he has to show what he can still bring to a team.