There have been no new negotiations between the San Antonio Spurs and Jonathon Simmons after the team renounced its rights to the guard/forward, making him an unrestricted free agent. Simmons' agent, Cervando Tejada, informed The Vertical that his client is focused on signing elsewhere.
The Spurs and Simmons were discussing details of a new contract but negotiations stalled. A sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns emerged in the discussion with the Spurs getting center Tyson Chandler for Simmons. However, the Spurs backed out of the trade because Chandler has two years and $26 million remaining on his contract.
League sources said Simmons’ representatives met with Spurs officials and requested that he be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. Around 12 teams are interested in Simmons, including the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers.
The Spurs can negotiate with Simmons as an unrestricted free agent but sources said his representatives will look into other deals before considering returning to the Spurs. Sources told the San Antonio Express-News that Simmons and his representatives were not pleased about the negotiations with the Spurs.
Spurs didn’t offer Simmons ‘Early Bird’ exception
The Spurs reportedly failed to offer Simmons the Early Bird exception, which can be used for players with two years in the league and haven't changed teams during that span.
Simmons played his first two NBA years with the Spurs, putting him in the “Gilbert Arenas” provision, which limits the amount he would earn in the first year to around $8.4 million as a restricted free agent with a 4.5 percent increase the next year.
Last season, Simmons averaged 6.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 78 games but flourished in the playoffs when Kawhi Leonard went down with an ankle injury.
He finished with a playoff career-high 22 points, three rebounds and three assists in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Before the Spurs took a chance on the 27-year-old Simmons, he faced a long battle to make it to the NBA. He paid a $150 tryout fee for the Spurs’ D-League affiliate in Austin but the move paid dividends as it helped paved way for his NBA career and a potentially huge contract.
Spurs sign free agent Brandon Paul
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Spurs have reached agreement on a guaranteed deal with Euroleague guard Brandon Paul, who played in Turkey last year and suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League.
A 2013 undrafted guard from the University of Illinois in 2013, Paul saw action for four games with the Dallas Mavericks in the Orlando Summer League where he averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. He joined the Cavaliers in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 14.3 points and five rebounds in three games.
