Tyson Chandler Trade to Spurs for Jonathon Simmons Reportedly Nixed

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The San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns were reportedly close to agreeing on a sign-and-trade that would have sent Jonathon Simmons to Phoenix in exchange for veteran center Tyson Chandler, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Jabari Young.

However, the deal fell through "at the last minute" because the Spurs didn't want to pay Chandler the $26.6 million he's owed over the next two seasons.

Unable to finalize terms, the Spurs pulled their qualifying offer to Simmons on Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Simmons' agent, Cervando Tejeda, later told The Vertical's Shams Charania his client is "focused fully on signing elsewhere" after the Spurs renounced his rights.

NBA.com's David Aldridge reported there's "strong interest" in Simmons with "a couple of teams in front" as the 27-year-old swingman starts to mull his options.

A late bloomer who went undrafted out of the University of Houston, Simmons came on during his second year with the Spurs.

In 17.8 minutes per game last season, the bouncy 6'6" swingman averaged a career-high 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 42.0 percent from the field.

Simmons increased his production in the playoffs, posting 10.5 points a night on 45.6 percent shooting, including 35.1 percent from three.