The Philadelphia 76ers and point-forward Ben Simmons have begun discussions to extend the former Rookie of the Year’s time in the City of the Brotherly Love.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports Sixers brass have started speaking through agent Simmons’ agent Rich Paul on a contract extension.
Simmons has come out of the gate, following a foot injury that sidelined him during the 2016-17 season, as already a premier player in the NBA. At 6-foot-10, the Australian-born Simmons has averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in just his first two seasons. He has shot 55.4 percent from the field and 58.3 from the free throw line.
Simmons, paired with All-Star center Joel Embiid, has contributed to a dynamic Philly team known for pushing the tempo on offense and providing headaches on defense against opponents. While his “natural” position may be murky for the tall Simmons, the one-time All-Star is no doubt a threat with the ball in his hands.
Simmons has been criticized due to his lack of three-point shooting, essentially neutralizing the deep ball threat for a guard in a league increasingly pushing for guards to shoot from longer and longer distances. Nevertheless, Simmons has undoubtedly helped the once-lowly Sixers turn into definitive contenders. Most recently they fell to Kawhi Leonard and the now–Finals winning Toronto Raptors in seven games in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Leonard hit a game-winning, buzz-beating, near-impossible baseline shot to sink the Sixers.
Simmons turns 23 years old in July.
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