Sixers sign Ben Simmons to $170 million max extension

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Sixers sign Simmons:

The Philadelphia 76ers finally lock up their young star Ben Simmons as he gets a five-year/$170 million dollar max extension according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Simmons 22, was heading into the last year of his rookie deal (four years/$26.6 million). He was the 1st overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the 76ers. Simmons missed his first season due to a foot injury, but ultimately won rookie of the year in 2017-2018 by posting 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

He made his first All-Star team last year after averaging 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. Simmons would also finish 3rd in assists (610) and triple-doubles (10) last season. The big question is will Simmons improve his scoring and range that will ultimately take his game to another level. The Sixers signing him to a max extension gives an indication that they have confidence he can take his game to the next level.

Simmons said, “I love being here, I love the fans here,” Simmons said of Philadelphia in April. “I wouldn’t want to be in a place where they didn’t really care or only showed up in the times we were doing well.”

Philadelphia also continues to put solid pieces around the third-year guard. They have a young Joel Embiid to give them a solid foundation to build on. The re-signed Tobias Harris (five years/$180 million) and brought in 13-year vet Al Horford to solidify their frontcourt.

The Sixers are expected to contend for an Eastern Conference crown in 2019-2020, so locking up their young stars in Embiid assures they are heading in the right direction.

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