While Jonathon Simmons is looking forward to his big payday this offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies should be contenders but will have their hands tied.
The Memphis Grizzlies won’t be able to match whatever Jonathon Simmons will be offered. Whether an offer is made by the Spurs, or any other team trying to add an athletic defender that is more than capable of scoring, the Grizz might be left shorthanded in their pursuit. The “Chandler Parsons Project” really crippled the Grizzlies’ financial situation, but that doesn’t mean Simmons isn’t worth a look.
The Benefits
The Grizzlies don’t need another player that’s a streaky jump-shooter that thrives on defense. While Simmons may fit THAT mold, he also proved he can hit outside shots in succession. Against the “Playoff Warriors,” Simmons was force-fed the ball and managed to keep producing, whether it was through scoring or generating the offense. Not only does he know when to make smart passes, he keeps the ball moving. He knows when to swing the ball, fake the pass and pull up, or just drive the lane. His fearless attitude combined with his athleticism adds much-needed energy to both sides of the ball.
Going back to his ability to score, it only helps that he has developed under the most successful coach on this side of the 2000s. One thing that separates Simmons from other younger athletes in the league is his lack of hesitation. That may sound funny, but it’s very important. Simmons has learned to play to his strengths and get to his spots without hesitation. This change came this season after exploding for 20 points in a decisive, opening-night win over the Warriors. It clicked for Simmons, and since then, he has been nothing less than stellar. He has made mistakes, but his energy and all-out hustle has never been in question. This only helps his case for why Memphis would be a great spot, though it’s still entirely improbable.
Popovich might not see Simmons as a long-term option for the Spurs, which would make sense why he managed to get so much exposure this season. That, or Popovich has found another viable athlete that will only sport a Spurs jersey for years to come.
Drawbacks
He’s not a proven shooter. The Memphis Grizzlies need shooters. They also need players than can just score like Simmons, but for the Grizzlies sake, let’s hope they go after “true shooting” guards, first. That may seem specific, but if Troy Daniels was more consistent, we wouldn’t even be having this
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conversation.
If the Grizzlies decide to go a different path that revolves around less threes and more drives, Simmons should be at the top of the list. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies are among the worst in the league when it comes to drives, ultimately disproving my earlier statement of why Simmons should be a Grizzly.
Alright, so Jonathan Simmons coming the Grizzlies is borderline impossible, unless Chandler Parsons decides to randomly restructure his contract for what he’s actually worth. Maybe then, Memphis can sign Simmons to the massive payday he’s bound to get.