Is Simmons leaving or staying?

NLEX import Jonathon Simmons is leaving the PBA after three more games with the Road Warriors to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) but isn’t closing the door on coming back sometime down the road. Asked why he was taking off, Simmons replied with one word “circumstances.” It appears the Chinese league put out an offer that he couldn’t refuse.

The CBA campaign is ongoing. It opened last Oct. 10 and the regular season ends on April 5 with the playoffs taking about a month to finish. If Simmons’ CBA team fails to make the playoffs, he could go back to the PBA assuming the Road Warriors are still in contention. The PBA Governors’ Cup will end in late April.

Simmons has played two seasons in the CBA. In 2020-21, he saw action with the Liaoning Flying Leopards and was cut after 16 games. The next season, Simmons averaged 18.3 points and shot 40.5 percent from beyond the arc in 30 outings with the Shanxi Loongs. The word was Simmons failed to secure a release from the CBA to play in the PBA, a requirement by FIBA for player international transfers. But if he didn’t obtain a release, why would Simmons even venture to sign a contract with NLEX? Perhaps, Simmons received an offer, much higher than what was in his NLEX contract, while already here and the money was too good to turn down. In the CBA, a team is allowed to pay four foreign players a total of $5 million a season and a salary of $1 million for a high-caliber import isn’t far-fetched.

Simmons himself said he’ll play four games for NLEX then pack his bags for China. While in the PBA, Simmons vowed to give it his all every single contest. But NLEX coach Frankie Lim said the door is still open for Simmons to stay or play more than four games. Lim said at least, Simmons was honest in revealing his intentions. NLEX team manager Larry Fonacier mentioned that “anything can happen” with the possibility of Simmons staying longer.

The night before Simmons’ debut against Blackwater last Wednesday, Lim said he went to sleep early and didn’t want to think about whether he could play or not. The next morning, Lim found out Simmons would suit up. He described the four-year NBA veteran as “not good but great.” If Lim had a choice, he’d keep Simmons in town. Against Blackwater, Simmons justified Lim’s vote of confidence. He scored 32 points, 10 in the fourth quarter as NLEX downed the Bossing, 124-102. Simmons had three of his seven assists in the payoff period where NLEX dumped 40 points in extending a three-point lead to start the last 12 minutes to 22. Kevin Alas went berserk down the stretch and hit 19 of his 31 points in the fourth frame, playing without relief. Before the fourth quarter storm, the game was a see-saw battle with 28 lead changes and 10 ties.

In case Simmons exits, Fonacier said he’s working on a short list of candidate replacements led by NBA veteran Manny Harris who averaged 30.9 points for the Road Warriors in eight games in the 2019 Governors’ Cup. Harris fired 43 points in NLEX’ triple OT 126-123 loss to NorthPort in the quarterfinals and left a deep impression on the Road Warriors as an import with a big heart. From the PBA, Harris played in China, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Taiwan.