It took roughly five months and a regime change to do so, but the Philadelphia 76ers have finally replaced sharpshooting guard Jared McCain. In an unexpected steal of a signing, Philadelphia has acquired veteran sharpshooter Anfernee Simons to occupy what projects to be a similar role to the one McCain played.
Though Simons isn't the up-and-comer that McCain was, the 76ers have at least replaced their former first-round draft pick's production and role with a high-level player on a bargain deal.
The reason Philadelphia's signing of Simons was surprising is that he was linked to three different teams earlier in the day—and none of them were the 76ers. Per The Stein Line, it was the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat that were in pursuit of Simons.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Simons has spurned the three reported teams by agreeing to sign a two-year deal worth just $12.3 million with the 76ers.
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 second season, sources tell ESPN. Simons chose the 76ers over other suitors believing his fit is perfect with the revamped 76ers roster. pic.twitter.com/RUbhPzxxxp
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
Nothing can truly erase how infuriating the McCain trade was, but Simons can go a long way toward filling the void that his departure left behind.
76ers sign Anfernee Simons despite reported interest from other teams
Simons, 27, is one of the NBA's most productive scorers and three-point shooters south of the All-Star line. Over the past five seasons, he's recorded cumulative averages of 18.8 points, 4.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 three-point field goals made per game on .437/.381/.901 shooting.
As a proven scorer, shot creator, playmaker, and three-point shooter, it's easy to see why a 76ers team in need of those very attributes from a bench player would be thrilled to sign him.
In 2025-26, the 76ers ranked No. 22 in the NBA in three-point field goals made and No. 23 in three-point field goal percentage. They also ranked No. 27 in points per game via reserves. Simons would seemingly check both of those boxes if he plays anywhere near the level he's previously sustained.
In the process, he could help ease the pain that Daryl Morey created when he traded McCain, who was ideally suited to play this exact role with upside to spare.
Moving forward, Simons will provide invaluable depth behind V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey. He'll also likely resume sharing the court with Brown. That's a promising possibility considering Brown averaged 2.9 more points per 75 possessions while shooting 10.7 percent better from beyond the arc when Simons was on the court with him in 2025-26.
Simons may not be a carbon copy of McCain or an under-25 player the 76ers could've developed, but he addresses the need for a skill set that shouldn't have been traded away.
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