Ben Simmons, Sixers agree to five-year, $170 million max contract extension
The big deal comes as no surprise. Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, and the 76ers have been working out details since July 2.
Ben Simmons is about to get paid.
The 76ers point guard and the team agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension on Monday, according to a league source.
This comes as no surprise as the team and Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, have been working out details since July 2. The max extension was originally believed to be $168.2 million. However, it’s actually higher than $170 million due to the new salary cap projections. He’s expected to sign the contract this week, according to a source.
The extension, which begins during the 2020-21 season, is reportedly the richest contract for an Australian athlete. Simmons could receive more than $200 million if he makes the All-NBA team this season.
Simmons, who turns 23 Saturday, is a triple-double machine and one of the NBA’s young superstars, so extending his contract was an easy decision for the ownership group and front office.
He averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists this past season. Simmons had 10 triple-doubles this past season and has had 22 for his career.
He joins Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players with at least 10 triple-doubles in each of their first two seasons.
Simmons also joined Robertson and another Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson, as the only players to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists through their first 13 playoff games. He has recorded 221 points, 115 rebounds and 101 assists in 13 playoff appearances. Robertson compiled 381 points, 167 rebounds, and 122 assists in his first 13 playoff games. Johnson had 209 points, 129 rebounds and 125 assists.
On June 23, 2016, Simmons became the first No. 1 pick taken by the Sixers since 1996, when they took Allen Iverson out of Georgetown. Previously they selected Doug Collins first overall in 1973 and afterward took Markelle Fultz No. 1 in 2017.
The 6-foot-10, 220-pounder played point forward during his lone season at LSU in 2015-16. But the Sixers converted him into a point guard. After missing the entire 2016-17 season with a broken foot, he was named 2018 rookie of the year and garnered his first All-Star appearance this past season.
Simmons was the third player born in Melbourne, Australia, to be taken first overall in the last 15 years, joining Kyrie Irving (2011) and Andrew Bogut (2005).