76ers Have Even More Reason To Appreciate Anfernee Simons After Bucks' Latest Signing

The Milwaukee Bucks and guard Gary Trent Jr. came to an agreement on a lucrative four-year, $64 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

This move by the Bucks should give the Philadelphia 76ers an even greater appreciation for their signing of guard Anfernee Simons on a two-year, $12.3 million deal. 

Why, you might ask? Well, to put it plainly: Simons is better than Trent and is under contract for a fraction of the cost.

Simons split the 2025-2026 campaign between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, averaging 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 44.0% shooting and 38.5% shooting from three-point range in 55 games. Meanwhile, Trent, who has spent the last two seasons in Milwaukee, recorded 8.1 points, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 rebound per game on 38.7% shooting and 36.0% shooting from the arc in 65 appearances. Neither of the guards is strong on the defensive end of the floor, so that attribute essentially cancels out.

The remarks posted in response to Trent's signing sum up the situation perfectly:

"Wow. He got $16 mill per season after averaging 8.1 ppg. on 38.7% shooting? Good for him," writer Aaron J. Fentress shared.

"We have a new worst contract candidate," Philadelphia podcaster Sean Barnard wrote.

Sixers reporter Adam Aaron described the comparison between Simons and Trent to a tee, posting, "Completely in awe of this Gary Trent Jr. contract. Sixers should be thrilled to have Anfernee Simons at $6M. (To be fair, most teams should be thrilled to have most players at price points that are not Gary Trent Jr. at 4/$64M.)"

It's tough to say what the Bucks' front office is doing by handing out this expensive deal to a role player, especially one coming off a rough season. But it provides more good news for the 76ers and their fanbase in the midst of the ongoing free agency pursuit of 22-time All-Star LeBron James.

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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci