CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers are in the process of preparing for the upcoming 2026-27 season where they will have a ton of expectations placed upon them when considering the additions made to the roster. In order to be fully ready for the challenges they will face, they will need everybody healthy and on the same page.
Anfernee Simons, a big addition made in the offseason, will be looking to give the Sixers a big offensive boost off the bench. He is a career 14.9 points per game scorer and is somebody who can really light it up from distance and give the Sixers the spark they really need off the bench.
He has been limited in the preseason due to a hamstring issue, but Simons returned to practice in a partial capacity recently, and was
a full participant on Thursday. He will remain out against the Boston Celtics in the preseason finale, but Simons is a big addition to this group.
"I’m super exited about Ant," beamed Tyrese Maxey. "Super excited about Ant, the little that we've seen of him. The way he shoots the ball. I mean, he's going to open up so many different things. He can play with so many different groups, so many different lineups because of the way he shoots the ball. I’m excited for him to join us."
Maxey, the team's offensive leader, is somebody who had to handle the ball a ton in the past. Now, with the presence of guys like Simons, and others, it makes life a little easier for Maxey. The way Simons can handle the ball, shoot with distance and efficiency, and really make a difference, then it will allow Philadelphia to play with different lineups and such.
"He's done as much he can," Maxey said of Simons in practice. "He does as much as he can. In the moments that he's been in there, he's done great. Ant’s a quiet guy. So, he's going to be good for us. Great for us."
The Sixers will open the season on Tuesday against the New York Knicks on the road.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 76ers' Tyrese Maxey gives praise to Anfernee Simons in practice return
