Ben Simmons Signs 5-Year, $170 Million Extension: Report

PHILADELPHIA, PA — It's official: Sixers star Ben Simmons has agreed to a five-year, $170 million maximum contract extension.

The news, first reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania, solidifies the Sixers core group for the forseeable future.

Rumors circulating the Sixers ultra-talented and towering point guard have been circling for months if not years. Some thought Simmons wanted to play in Los Angeles. Others believe his game is an imperfect fit with superstar center Joel Embiid, and thought he should be traded for a more compatible and traditional point guard. There was even a suggestion — which turned out to be quite untrue — that Magic Johnson was trying to lure him to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Simmons, 22, has also come under attack for his inability to develop a consistent jump shot, as a large percentage of his damage is done inside the paint. Despite this, Simmons won the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year award, and was named to the 2018-19 NBA All Star team. He also finished third in the league in triple-doubles this past season with 10.

All told, he averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game last year, making him one of the league's most dynamic and versatile players.

Four of the team's formidable starting of five is now locked down through the 2022-23 season. Tobias Harris was signed to a five-year, $180 million extension just weeks ago. 2018 NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Al Horford was then signed to a four-year, $109 million deal. And Embiid is under contract through 2023.

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That leaves just Josh Richardson, acquired from the Miami Heat this offseason in exchange for Jimmy Butler, as the lone player not yet locked down through 2022-23. Richardson's current contract expires following the 2021-22 season, meaning at minimum, the Sixers core group is in place for the next three years. It's a group that's all but guaranteed high playoff seeds, and is likely to compete for a NBA championship in each of the coming seasons. Many experts have already indicated the Sixers as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference in 2020.

For his part, Simmons has been working hard this offseason to improve his jumper, and Harris, his workout partner, has reportedly noticed a difference.

Simmons, a native of Melbourne, Australia, was selected by the Sixers with the first overall pick in the 2016 Draft.

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