A day after reportedly acquiring former NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brown from the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with free agent guard Anfernee Simons, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Simons, 27, who played with Brown in Boston last season, will have a player option in the second season, per the report.

In the reported Brown deal, the Sixers will send veteran forward Paul George to the Celtics along with first-round picks in 2028 and 2031 and second-round picks in 2028 and 2030.

Simons joined the Celtics last July in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, and averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range in 49 games.

Simons was on the move again in February, dealt to the Bulls in exchange for forward Nikola Vucevic, but a left wrist injury limited the guard to just six games with Chicago before ending his season. For the season, Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 55 games (five starts).

A first-round pick (No. 24 overall) of the Trail Blazers in the 2018 draft, Simons will give the Sixers’ bench an offensive lift it was lacking last season. He has averaged at least 17 ppg four times and is a career 38.5% 3-point shooter.

Over eight NBA seasons, Simons has averaged 14.9 ppg, 3.2 apg and 2.5 rpg in 444 games (218 starts).

–Field Level Media

SEATTLE — President Donald Trump will not attend Monday’s round of 16 World Cup match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium.

A King County spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the county has been told neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance will be in attendance.

The United States men’s national team advanced to Monday’s match with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night, just hours after Belgium staged a dramatic comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time.

Trump has attended several major sporting events while in office, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals last month. Kenmore Air had previously said the Federal Aviation Administration had notified the company last week of a potential presidential visit for Monday’s World Cup match if the USMNT advanced, which could have affected the local seaplane company’s ability to operate flights in the area.

Trump has not attended any World Cup matches to date, although some Cabinet members have. That includes U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who attended the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle on June 19.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended multiple group-stage matches in Seattle.

According to the Seattle Times, neither Trump nor Vance have paid a visit to Seattle in their capacity as president or vice president.

Seattle Stadium hosted four group stage matches, including Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt and the USMNT win over Australia. Belgium’s victory over Senegal also came at Seattle Stadium, and the Red Devils’ World Cup base camp is located just a few miles south at the Sounders FC Performance Center.

Monday’s 5 p.m. PT match at Seattle Stadium will be the last at the site in this tournament.

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

Jaylen Brown said goodbye to Boston on Thursday, admitting he was “still processing how this all went down,” a day after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brown, linked all offseason to a possible trade to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, had his best pro season in 2025-26 as he led the team with Jayson Tatum out due to an injury until his return on March 6.

Once Antetokounmpo was dealt to the Miami Heat, the Celtics engaged in trade talks with other teams.

Brown, 29, said he was invested in the Celtics and the city of Boston.

“I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city,” he wrote in his statement. “I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.

“The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.”

The Celtics finished last season with a 56-26 record, four games behind the Detroit Pistons and a favorite to play for the NBA title. Instead, they were sent home in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the 76ers in seven games.

Trading Brown for Antetokounmpo potentially could have given the Celtics the piece they needed to win a championships. Fans and analysts have been highly critical of the Wednesday trade, which sends Brown to Philadelphia for 36-year-old Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, which could be a swap that is more favorable for Boston, and an unprotected 2031 pick) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030) to Boston for Brown.

George has suffered several injuries since the 2018-19 season, when he played in 77 games, and has been limited to 56 games or fewer in six of his seven seasons since then. He played 74 games in 2023-24. In his two seasons with the 76ers, George appeared in 78 total games.

Brown finished sixth in NBA MVP voting in 2026 after averaging a career-high 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He is a five-time All-Star.

“Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something,” Brown said. “I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you.”

Brown said he is ready to embrace his new team.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how … through the work.”

–Field Level Media