Rookie of the Year Simmons urges 76ers to add 'big free agent'

Simmons missed the 2016-17 campaign due to a foot injury, but the Australia star made up for lost time by averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists in his rookie campaign.

The 21-year-old hopes that will just be the start as he eyes more success early in his career.

"I think for now I'm very grateful. Obviously, I won the award, so I'm very grateful for that. But that's not the end goal for me, I have a lot more things that I want to take off." he said.

"I'm living in the moment, enjoying this right now. But obviously I have a lot more work to do, and that starts as soon as this is over, get back to work."

The 76ers have been linked with the legendary LeBron James as they attempt to make further strides after being denied a place in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics.

Simmons feels they would benefit from having more of a blend of youth and experience.

He added: "What pieces do we need? I think time. I think a little bit of time. I think that's the main thing for us. We don't have that much experience with Joel [Embiid] and I and some of the younger people on our team and guys like that. So I think experience plays a big role.

"Obviously, some key pieces. Maybe that is a free agent, a big free agent who we can lean on and learn from, so we don't really have that older, veteran guy who is a star like that.