Anfernee Simons Weighs Championship Opportunity Against Career Scoring Role with 76ers

Anfernee Simons signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $12.3 million deal after turning down interest from the Golden State Warriors, a decision that may limit his future earning potential despite joining a legitimate championship contender. The scoring guard rushed into the commitment early in free agency rather than waiting to assess LeBron James' intentions, ultimately landing in a stacked Philadelphia rotation where he figures to be the sixth offensive option at best.

The Contract and Golden State Alternative

According to NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Bonta Hill, Simons deliberately chose Philadelphia over Golden State's overtures. The two-year, $12.3 million agreement with the 76ers works out to roughly $6.15 million annually—significantly below what cap specialists anticipated he would command on the open market.

NBA cap analyst Yossi Gozlan characterized the Philadelphia signing as perhaps the biggest bargain of the offseason. Gozlan noted on the Third Apron Podcast that he had projected Simons would land closer to the full mid-level exception at approximately $15 million per year, or at minimum a $12 million annual salary on a short-term deal designed to rebuild his market value. Instead, Simons accepted half that projected figure.

Playing Time and Championship Contention

The 76ers roster now includes James, Jaylen Brown—the 2024 Finals MVP—and Joel Embiid, alongside guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe. This configuration leaves limited offensive touches for Simons, who averaged nearly 19 points per game over the previous five seasons and posted consecutive 20-point scoring seasons while with Portland.

In contrast, Simons would have commanded a far more prominent role with Golden State. Behind Stephen Curry and injury-prone Kristaps Porzingis, the 28-year-old would have emerged as the Warriors' third scoring option—a pathway that could have restored his value to the $15 million-plus annual range heading into his next contract negotiation.

The Trade-Off

Simons accepted a championship opportunity in Philadelphia but at the cost of diminished scoring responsibility. For a player in the middle of his career seeking to secure a more lucrative long-term contract, the reduced role and team-friendly financial terms present a significant gamble. However, his shooting credentials remain valuable: Simons shot 42.9 percent on catch-and-shoot three-pointers during the previous season and maintains a career 38.1 percent mark from distance, making him a viable bench weapon in a contending lineup.