Who Is Anfernee Simons? 76ers Guard’s Role Explained as Philadelphia Builds Star-Studded Roster
Anfernee Simons has agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, giving the team a proven scorer as it reshapes its roster around new additions LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Simons officially signed the deal on July 6, joining Philadelphia after stints with Boston and Chicago last season.
The agreement, which includes a player option for the second season, was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on July 2. Simons chose Philadelphia over other suitors, believing the fit worked well with the team’s revamped roster.
He arrived in Philadelphia less than 24 hours after the 76ers acquired five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from Boston in a trade. Philadelphia sent Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round selections to Boston to complete that deal.
Who Is Anfernee Simons?
Anfernee Tyrik Simons was born June 8, 1999, in Florida and stands 6-foot-3. He is named after former NBA All-Star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. He attended IMG Academy before entering the 2018 NBA Draft, where Portland selected him 24th overall.
Simons built his reputation in Portland as a high-flying scorer with a smooth shooting stroke, developing into one of the league’s more reliable perimeter threats over seven seasons. He became the Trail Blazers’ first Slam Dunk Contest champion, edging Obi Toppin in the 2021 final with a dunk paying tribute to Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady. The following year, he set a then-career high of 43 points on nine 3-pointers in a win over the Atlanta Hawks, a game he dedicated to his grandfather.
By the time he left Portland, Simons had passed Wesley Matthews for third on the franchise’s all-time 3-pointers made list.
From Portland to Boston to Chicago
Simons was traded from Portland to Boston as part of the Jrue Holiday deal, then moved again in-season. On Feb. 5, 2026, the Celtics traded Simons and a 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for center Nikola Vučević and a 2027 second-rounder. Across his time with Boston and Chicago last season, Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 55 games.
Fitting Into Philadelphia’s Revamped Roster
Simons is expected to provide scoring depth alongside Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Cap specialist Yossi Gozlan called the deal one of the biggest bargains of the offseason, noting Philadelphia secured Simons through the taxpayer mid-level exception rather than the larger contract he had expected the guard to command.
Speaking to Philadelphia media after signing, Simons said the Sixers’ recruiting pitch stood apart from other offers, citing the team’s need at guard and its championship aspirations. He also pointed to a personal touch: a call from 76ers executive vice president Jameer Nelson to his parents, which he said helped set Philadelphia’s pitch apart.
What Comes Next
With training camp approaching, Simons is expected to compete for rotation minutes in a crowded Philadelphia backcourt. His two-year deal, paired with a player option, gives both sides flexibility as the Sixers integrate their new additions around Embiid and Maxey ahead of the 2026-27 season.
