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Kobi Simmons Full-Time with Memphis Grizzlies?

By Brendan Smart

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies receives treatment after practice on July 5, 2018 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies receives treatment after practice on July 5, 2018 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies are set to take on the Utah Jazz in Round Two tonight in Las Vegas. Similar to last season, Memphis Grizzlies guard Kobi Simmons is lighting it up. Is he worth a roster spot in 2018? Our team analyzes.

Brendan Smart: Kobi Simmons is without a doubt a story that anyone would root for. His father has been his trainer since he was little, and his brother has been making his highlight films throughout high school and college at the University of Arizona.

At Arizona, Simmons played spot minutes, and played a solid role off the bench. This does not sound like a guy that should be entering the NBA Draft, right? Wrong. Kobi Simmons and his family bet on each other.

This bet led to becoming a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season, when Simmons was showing out for Memphis in NBA Summer League action, he was undoubtedly a lock for one of the two two-way contracts with the team. Going undrafted, Simmons surprisingly played a large role for the Grizzlies due to injuries, and well, “tanking.”

CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 22: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on March 22, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 22: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on March 22, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kobi Simmons played in 32 games last season (12 starts) on the two-way contract. He showed progression and flashes of what he can be in the future for Memphis. Coming into this summer, we knew Kobi would play a huge role on this NBA Summer League roster, but he has truly played better than expected.

Progression

At 6’5,” Simmons can play the one- or two-spot for the Memphis Grizzlies. The one thing hurting him was his inconsistency shooting the ball. Simmons has shot it very well in the 2018 NBA Summer League games. He shows more confidence in his shot. It looks as if Kobi Simmons will look to make the team not as a point guard, but as a shooting guard.

Simmons has shown that his defense, for his size, is very good. I say size because for a guy that stands at 6’5,” he has a small frame. Size has not always been a part of Simmons game, but he has played well with it.

Final Take

I do not think that Simmons will get a guaranteed contract from Memphis this season. Does that mean he is not worthy? No. Kobi Simmons would be a backup point guard on several NBA teams, but the team is so deep at both guard spots, I do not think that he is ahead of guys in front of him.

If Memphis can get Simmons back on a two-way contract for his sophomore season, that would be great. However, the NBA Summer League exposure will open doors for Kobi Simmons on other rosters.

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