76ers Continue Building Championship-Caliber Roster with Addition of Anfernee Simons

Each and every day, the Philadelphia 76ers continue to add to a roster that is starting to look like a team that can definitely compete for a title.

Of course, they swung for the fences and added Jaylen Brown from the Celtics in exchange for Paul George and picks, but they are not finished.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 76ers signed free agent guard Anfernee Simons to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, with a player option in the second season.

Last season, the 27-year-old Simons, who played for the Celtics and Bulls, averaged 14.3 points per game and shot 39% from deep. 

The eight-year veteran could be the piece that stabilizes the second unit for Philly and helps replace what they had with Quentin Grimes, who signed with the Lakers.

Last season, Philadelphia was near the bottom of the league in bench points, and Simons should help in that area.

Now, after the first few days of free agency, Philadelphia has plugged in some decent pieces. First, they grabbed forward Dean Wade from the Cavs, who reportedly signed a four-year, $39 million deal with the team. The 29-year-old Wade is a solid defender who can defend multiple positions. Additionally, he can hit threes(36% from deep last season).

Furthermore, they added a young big man, free-agent center Ariel Hukporti, who signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the 76ers. Last season, the 24-year-old Hukporti played for the world-champion New York Knicks and was the team’s third center. Depending on what else Philly does in free agency, Hukporti could get an opportunity to be the primary backup to Joel Embiid.

Championships are not won on paper, but based on what we have seen in the first few days of free agency, and based on what they already have with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, and the acquisition of Brown, who is still in his prime, the 76ers have put themselves in a position to challenge for a title next season and beyond. They might not be done as the team reportedly has interest in LeBron James, and if they add James, Philly, on paper, will be tough to beat.