--- title: "Anfernee Simons lands two-year, $12.3M deal with Sixers" description: "Philly outbids Warriors and Heat to land the sharpshooter on a low-risk, high-upside contract using the mid-level exception." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/anfernee-simons-agrees-to-two-year-deal-with-sixers-7f2036db published: 2026-07-02T19:39:30.504+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T19:39:30.504+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Anfernee Simons lands two-year, $12.3M deal with Sixers > Philly outbids Warriors and Heat to land the sharpshooter on a low-risk, high-upside contract using the mid-level exception. Anfernee Simons is officially a Philadelphia 76er after agreeing to a two-year, $12.3 million contract, beating out competing offers from the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat. The Sixers used the remainder of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to land the 25-year-old guard, adding a proven scorer to a backcourt in need of spacing. The deal comes with minimal long-term risk. At $6.15 million per season, Simons’ contract fits neatly under the NBA’s hard cap, preserving flexibility for Philadelphia to pursue further upgrades around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers’ front office prioritized shooting depth after their playoff run stalled in the first round, and Simons’ 36.9% career three-point shooting profile aligns with that need. Health remains a lingering question. Simons missed the final six games of his lone season with the Chicago Bulls after undergoing surgery for a right wrist injury in January 2024. His availability for training camp and the regular season opener will be closely monitored, but the Sixers are banking on a full recovery given his offensive upside. Reaction from league insiders underscored the low-risk nature of the move. Shams Charania reported the deal was finalized late Saturday, with multiple teams—including the Dallas Mavericks—also expressing interest before Philly’s offer was accepted. The Warriors, who had extended a minimum-salary offer, were quickly outmaneuvered by the Sixers’ structured approach. The financial engineering here is sharp. By utilizing the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, Philadelphia avoids triggering the hard cap penalties that would have handcuffed future moves. Simons represents a "buy-low" asset; his market value was depressed by the wrist injury, allowing a contender to acquire a high-volume scorer on a reserve-friendly salary. If he returns to form, this contract becomes one of the league's most valuable trade chips or a bargain retention piece, providing high-end offensive production for the cost of a role player. This signing also highlights a shift in the Sixers' roster-building philosophy. Instead of chasing aging stars on maximum contracts, the front office is targeting high-upside youth on short-term deals to complement their core. The decision to spurn the Warriors and Heat suggests Simons prioritized a clear path to minutes and a primary scoring role off the bench over a potential championship pursuit in a crowded rotation. Philadelphia is betting that the change of scenery and a stable medical staff will unlock the consistency that eluded him in Chicago. The Sixers’ move for Simons also reflects a broader trend in the NBA: the premium on three-point shooting and roster flexibility. With the league increasingly favoring spacing and versatility, Philadelphia’s acquisition of a 36.9% career three-point shooter addresses a critical weakness. Last season, the Sixers ranked 22nd in three-point percentage, and their offense often stagnated in the playoffs due to a lack of reliable outside threats. Simons’ ability to stretch the floor could create more driving lanes for Maxey and reduce double-teams on Embiid, amplifying the entire offense. Additionally, this deal underscores the importance of medical due diligence in modern roster construction. While Simons’ wrist injury depressed his market value, the Sixers’ confidence in their medical staff’s ability to manage his recovery was a deciding factor. If he regains his pre-injury form—averaging 17.3 points per game in 2022-23—this contract could look like a steal. However, if health issues persist, the short-term nature of the deal limits the downside, allowing Philly to pivot without long-term consequences. What’s next: Philadelphia will now turn its focus to roster construction around Embiid and Maxey. The Sixers have roughly $10 million in cap space remaining but could explore additional trades or signings to bolster the frontcourt. Training camp begins in late September, with Simons’ health status a key storyline to watch as the team eyes a deeper playoff run. ## Why this matters The Sixers added a high-volume shooter without compromising financial flexibility, fitting Simons’ contract under the hard cap. This move signals Philadelphia’s commitment to surrounding its stars with elite spacing for a championship push, while mitigating long-term cap damage. For Simons, it’s a career-saving payday on a team with clear upside—provided he stays healthy. This acquisition addresses a critical spacing deficiency that plagued the offense last season, offering a low-stakes gamble on a former lottery pick who could evolve into a crucial secondary scoring option alongside Joel Embiid. ## Frequently asked ### How much is Anfernee Simons’ contract worth with the Sixers? Simons signed a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The contract averages $6.15 million per season and was finalized using the team's non-taxpayer mid-level exception. ### Which teams were competing for Simons? The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks were among the teams interested in signing Simons. However, the Sixers' offer provided the best combination of salary and opportunity. ### Why did the Warriors’ offer fall short? Golden State’s minimum-salary offer couldn’t compete with the Sixers’ structured mid-level exception deal. Philadelphia provided more financial security and a clearer path to significant playing time in their rotation. ### What role does Simons fill for the Sixers? Simons brings proven three-point shooting, boasting a 36.9% career average, and secondary playmaking. He fills a critical need for spacing alongside stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. ### Is there a health concern with Simons’ signing? Yes, there is a concern. Simons missed the final six games of his Bulls tenure after wrist surgery in January 2024. His recovery timeline and availability for training camp will be monitored closely. ### What’s next for the Sixers after signing Simons? Philadelphia will focus on finalizing roster construction around Embiid and Maxey. With roughly $10 million in cap space remaining, the team may explore trades or signings to bolster the frontcourt depth. ## Sources & Citations - [Anfernee Simons Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Sixers](https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/07/anfernee-simons-agrees-to-two-year-deal-with-sixers.html) — Hoops Rumors (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Anfernee Simons lands two-year, $12.3M deal with Sixers. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/anfernee-simons-agrees-to-two-year-deal-with-sixers-7f2036db