The Philadelphia 76ers kept moving quickly after their June 1 blockbuster, and their latest step was to add another scorer to the mix.
Philadelphia’s offseason has already been defined by the decision to send Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jaylen Brown. On paper, the swap replaces an injury-riddled and declining star with an NBA Finals MVP. But the real verdict will come later, once Brown and the 76ers get on the floor and try to prove the deal made them the winners.
Then came another move that says plenty about where Philadelphia is headed: the 76ers signed former Celtics guard Anfernee Simons.
“Just in: Free agent guard Anfernee Simons has agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, with a player option in the second season,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on X/Twitter Thursday. “Simons chose the 76ers over other suitors, believing his fit is perfect with the revamped 76ers roster.”
It’s an easy fit to understand. Philadelphia’s bench still needs help even after the team added more offensive punch to its starting group, and Simons gives them a player who can come in and put points on the board right away. He’s the kind of guard who doesn’t need a long runway to make an impact.
The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 14.9 points across his career, which now spans 444 games. He’s shot 43.2% from the field and 38.1% from three. With Simons in the fold, the 76ers are continuing to build out the roster and shape a more balanced team before next season begins.
In Other News...
Celtics Already Linked To Another Major Move After Jaylen Brown Trade
Bostons decision to move Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and multiple future draft picks already reshaped the conversation around both teams, but the Celtics may not be done making noise. With a fresh haul of assets in hand, Boston is being linked to another possible swing, and the name getting mentioned is Trey Murphy III, a forward who spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and has become one of the more intriguing players on the market.
Murphys appeal is easy to see for a team that just changed its core: he brings size, versatility and the kind of two-way profile that fits almost any contenders wish list. Philadelphia will obviously be watching how Boston uses the rest of its war chest, because if the Celtics do make a run at Murphy, it would be another sign that Browns departure was just the beginning of a much bigger reshaping in the East. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Just Pulled Off Another Backcourt Coup After Jaylen Brown
After the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown, the 76ers kept working the backcourt market and landed another name that had drawn plenty of attention. Guard Anfernee Simons is set to join Philadelphia on a two-year deal worth $12.3 million, adding another scoring option to a roster that has already been reshaped in a busy stretch of moves.
The appeal is easy to see for a team trying to balance star power with usable depth. Simons brings the kind of bench scoring and perimeter shot-making that can change a second units look, and the fact that other teams were in the mix made this another notable win for Philadelphia as it continues to build out the guard rotation. [Read more 🡒]