The Denver Nuggets can only sign free agents who aren't their own to minimum-salary contracts, so signing Anfernee Simons would probably have been a long shot anyway. But it sure does sting to know that the Nuggets can only watch from the sidelines as free agent after free agent signs elsewhere, because the Nuggets simply can't sign them thanks to their first-apron status from their salary woes.
Simons joins Tim Hardaway Jr. on the list of sharpshooters the Nuggets couldn't sign because of price. Hardaway took a $6.5 million mid-level exemption from the Miami Heat, getting a nice raise from his minimum salary with the Nuggets last season.
Anfernee Simons had interest from the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Indiana Pacers, league sources said. Simons ultimately agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, including a player option, as ESPN first reported. pic.twitter.com/Vkdm8Dlbwn
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 2, 2026
Now, we hear from Michael Scotto that the Nuggets were interested in Simons. But as ESPN's Shams Charania reported, Simons has agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Simons chose Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and obviously, more money, over the Nuggets.
Simons would have been such a fantastic signing for the Nuggets. He could have easily filled in the spot for Hardaway as a three-point specialist himself. Simons is a career 38.1% from downtown, and he's a terrific scorer.
Simons has two seasons averaging over 20 points per game with the Portland Trail Blazers to his credit, but he took on a bench role for the Boston Celtics in 2025-26 and saw his average fall to 14.3 points.
But in the end, the Nuggets watched two sharpshooters get away. How many more will there be? It's frustrating as a fan that the Nuggets are so handcuffed. However, there are still other bargain free agents available.
The Nuggets still might get the ultimate bargain free agent
Despite the Nuggets missing out on Simons, the door remains open for the Nuggets to sign perhaps the most valuable minimum-contract free agent ever if they can land LeBron James. What a day that would be for the franchise, pairing up Nikola Jokic alongside LeBron. The passing game for the Nuggets would be on another level, and Joker would have another lob-dunk option.
Until that Shams notification fires up that Bron signs somewhere else, it's a dream that Nuggets fans can realistically have. And, honestly, the chances really are decent. Sure, Miami has Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Cleveland has James Harden.
But the Nuggets have the ace in the hole, the Joker. Playing alongside Jokic could be the final push Bron needs to come to Denver. Nuggets fans should keep their fingers crossed that this pairing happens. Their title hopes could depend on it.
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