Anfernee Simons has already answered the biggest question hanging over his move to Philadelphia: the wrist is not the issue it once was.
That matters for the 76ers, because Simons is expected to be more than just another offseason addition. He’s set to be a central piece of the bench, and the team can’t afford to be light in that spot. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Noah Levick, Simons said the left wrist injury that bothered him last season is almost fully healed and, in his words, “not a cause of concern.”
That’s exactly the kind of update Philadelphia wanted to hear after bringing him in cheaply from the free agency market. The 76ers have already stacked up a strong offseason with a series of smart signings and a flashy blockbuster trade, and Simons looked like one of the better-value moves from the start. The only real cloud was health.
Last season, that concern was real. Simons played only six games for the Bulls after being sent over by the Celtics at the trade deadline, with the wrist issue continuing to linger. It’s the kind of injury that can stick around and flare up again, so his insistence that he’s close to full recovery should land as welcome news in Philadelphia.
It’s especially important because the 76ers need him. Depth is still a major issue, and Simons is projected to shoulder a heavy load as the lead scorer for a second unit that ranked 27th in the league in scoring last season. He’ll be asked to handle plenty of minutes and plenty of responsibility, and there isn’t much proven backcourt help behind him.
Philadelphia may be able to roll out what looks like the most talented starting five in the NBA next season, but that won’t mean much if the bench can’t hold up its end. For now, Simons is the key piece of that group, and his availability could go a long way toward shaping how the regular season plays out.
The 76ers don’t need the wrist to become a storyline again. They need Simons on the floor, doing what they brought him in to do.
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The bigger picture is just as important. The Sixers have already made several roster moves and are trying to position themselves as title contenders for the 2026-27 campaign, but that plan only really works if Embiid gets a full offseason to work on his game and build toward the fall. For a team that has spent so much time managing uncertainty, a healthy summer for its centerpiece is the kind of change that can reshape expectations before training camp even opens. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid Just Got The Chance 76ers Fans Have Waited For
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Embiid has not spoken publicly about the trade, but the buzz around the team is that he is enthusiastic about the addition and already looking ahead to the coming season. Health will still shape how far this group can go, and the front office may not be done yet, with the possibility of another major move hanging over the roster as the 76ers try to turn a big summer into something even bigger. [Read more 🡒]