Simmons agrees to 5-year, $170M deal with Sixers

LOS ANGELES, USA – The NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and Australian star Ben Simmons have agreed to a five-year, $170 million maximum contract extension, US media reported Monday, July 15. 

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons has agreed to a five-year, $170 million maximum contract extension, agent Rich Paul tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 15, 2019

ESPN said Simmons’ agent Rich Paul had confirmed the deal, although the parties had until mid-October to finalize the extension of Simmons’ rookie contract.

Simmons, 22, was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016 and after injury saw him miss the 2016-17 season he was named Rookie of the Year in 2017-18.

He averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the 76ers last season, when he was named an All-Star for the first time. In the past two seasons he has had 22 triple-doubles and 80 double-doubles, emerging as a dominant finisher at the rim.

He joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players with at least 10 triple-doubles – posting double figures in 3 key statistical categories – in each of their first two seasons.

The deal confirms a 76ers core that also includes Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Al Horford – all under contract for at least the next 4 years as the team seek their first NBA title since 1983. (READ: Ben Simmons ‘doubtful’ for Aussie World Cup campaign)

Last season the Sixers were knocked out of the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the second straight season.

The extension will come into effect in the 2020-21 season after the final year of his rookie deal. – Rappler.com