Ben Simmons agrees to 5-year, $170 million max extension with 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers secured their point guard for the present and the future.
Ben Simmons reached a five-year, $170 million extension, two people with direct knowledge of the deal told Paste BN Sports. The persons requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is announced by the team.
Simmons, the 2017-18 rookie of the year, averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists, had 10 triple-doubles, 42 double-doubles and shot 56.3% from the field last season.
He helped the Sixers go seven games against the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Simmons made the All-Star team for the first time in 2019 and posted impressive numbers without a reliable 3-point shot. He attempted just six threes last season – four of which came at the end of a quarter and just two within the confines of halfcourt offense.
Simmons was productive without a 3-point shot but can become even more productive if he can make defenders play him at the arc instead of sagging and giving him the shot
The Sixers still had the eighth-best offense and made offseason moves that keep them among the better offensive teams in the league, especially with the signing of center-forward Al Horford.
With Simmons, Horford, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson, the Sixers are expected to compete for the conference championship, along with Milwaukee.
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