Report: Warriors camp attendee Simmons signing in China

Share

Jonathon Simmons participated in the Warriors' voluntary minicamp over the last two weeks.

He apparently will be heading overseas soon.

Simmons is signing in China with the Liaoning Flying Leopards, a source told The Athletic's Anthony Slater.

"Jonathon Simmons has had a really good week of camp, and still has years to offer in the NBA, in my opinion," coach Steve Kerr said to reporters last Thursday.

Kerr then was asked if the 31-year-old could be a fit with the Warriors.

Download and subscribe to the Runnin' Plays Podcast

"Possibly," Kerr said. "We could use the length on the wings. We know that. He showed that he's still got the athleticism and length to be a factor defensively. He's got the strength to switch onto bigger players and hold his own down on the block.

"And offensively, he's a good 3-point shooter, and he's got the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.

"I'm a fan."

Simmons finished the 2019-20 season with the G League's Santa Cruz Warriors, averaging 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals in five games, while shooting nearly 49 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from deep.

Signing in China does not rule out the possibility of him playing for the Warriors -- or any other NBA team -- next season. It's possible that his contract with the Flying Leopards allows him to come back to the United States whenever the 2020-21 NBA season begins, which might not be until late January or February.

RELATED: Kerr discusses type of player Warriors want with No. 2 pick

Simmons played for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015-16 and 2016-17. He averaged 13.2 points against the Houston Rockets in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals and 15.3 points and 3.3 assists against the Warriors in the 2017 Western Conference finals.

The Houston native registered 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during the 2017-18 regular season with the Orlando Magic, while shooting nearly 47 percent overall and 34 percent from deep.

Follow @DrewShiller on Twitter and Instagram

Contact Us