The Miami Heat had a clear opening, a clear need, and a clear target. They still came up short.
Anfernee Simons is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $12.3 million deal that includes a player option in the second season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. For Boston fans, the move closes the door on any talk of a reunion after the Celtics signed Mike Conley. For Miami, though, this one stings a little more.
Simons, 27, was a fit the Heat could have used right away. After stripping down much of the roster to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami’s biggest needs are shooting and ball handling. That’s why, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Heat made a push for the former Celtic.
He had options. Siegel reported that Miami and Golden State both had offers on the table, with the Warriors presenting a minimum contract while waiting on word from LeBron James. Simons wanted at least $6 million per year, and that is exactly what he got from Philadelphia.
The Heat may still have room to work with. They are hard-capped at the first apron, but they also have $10.6 million left to fill at least two roster spots. Even so, they did not land the kind of guard who could have helped steady things in the backcourt.
That matters because the fit was obvious. Boston used Simons in a sixth-man role, and that type of usage would have made sense in Miami too. Right now, though, it is still unclear who will start alongside Davion Mitchell in the backcourt, and the answer may not be on the roster yet.
Pat Riley had a chance to bring the Florida native home, and it slipped away.
Simons now joins a Philadelphia team that should give him a prominent role off the bench while pairing him with the likes of Brown and LeBron James. He is landing with a title contender, and in this author’s opinion, the outlook there looks better than Miami’s.
It also creates another headache for Boston. The Sixers are in the division, which means the Celtics will see Simons four times in the regular season. And if history is any guide, there is a good chance those teams meet again in the playoffs.
For Miami, missing out on Simons leaves a glaring hole. For Philadelphia, it adds another useful piece. For Boston, it could end up being a problem.
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For now, the agreed-upon deal sending Leonard to Toronto remains on hold until the league reaches a verdict, leaving the whole situation in suspension. There is still a sense around the league that the trade will eventually be approved, and Leonard is already expected to move forward with extension talks once it is. Until then, Boston and every other contender in the East are stuck watching a high-stakes process that could end with one more major obstacle in the path to the Finals. [Read more 🡒]