ORLANDO - For anyone looking for signs that the Orlando Magic collectively have a sharp eye for talent and know just how to develop it, consider what guard Jonathon Simmons did in his first season in blue and black pinstripes.
Simmons, a third-year pro, doubled his previous career high in scoring (13.9), while also setting new personal marks for rebounds (3.5), assists (2.5), steals (0.9) and minutes (29.4) in his first season with the Magic.
None of that would have been possible had Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond not acted swiftly last July when the San Antonio Spurs surprisingly renounced their rights to the 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard, making him an unrestricted free agent.