Shooting guard Jonathon Simmons was impressive in his first year with the Orlando Magic last season, averaging 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the floor, 33.8 percent from three-point range and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line.
By the summer, it seemed like the Magic had gotten a steal with the three-year, $20 million deal they had given to Simmons.
However, things have quickly unraveled this season.
Through 35 games this year, Simmons is averaging just seven points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists a night while making 35.8 percent of his field-goal attempts, 21.7 percent of his long-distance tries and 80.3 percent of his foul shots.
As a result, the Magic are looking to trade him, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News.
Here is the catch with Simmons: he is set to make $7 million next season, but only $1 million of that is guaranteed, making him a very appealing, cost-effective target to rival teams.
The problem is, though, Orlando is likely to get very little in return for Simmons, as he is struggling mightily this season and teams actually prefer Simmons' teammate, Terrence Ross, in trade talks.
Maybe the Magic can get a second-round pick for Ross, but even that is questionable, especially these days when draft choices seem to be coming more and more valuable.
The 29-year-old Simmons played his collegiate basketball at the University of Houston but went undrafted. He ended up signing with the San Antonio Spurs in July 2015 and spent some time with their G-League team before seeing his first NBA action that ensuing season, playing in 55 games and impressing on both ends of the floor.
He played two years in San Antonio before signing in Orlando during the summer of 2017.
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