Five more years for Sixers’ Simmons
The Philadelphia 76ers and All-Star guard Ben Simmons have agreed to a fiveyear, $170 million contract extension yesterday.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016. He made his NBA debut in the 2017-18 season and was the Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for the first time last season. He has averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists in his two seasons.
He has had 22 triple-doubles in the past two seasons, tied for third most in the league with Denver’s Nikola Jokic and trailing Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (59) and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (26).
Simmons also has had 80 double-doubles over the past two seasons.
“Ben Simmons is an important piece of our core and he is one of the NBA’s most dynamic and talented young players,” Sixers general manager Elton Brand said . ...
The New York Knicks finalized contracts with former Celtic Marcus Morris and Reggie Bullock. Morris averaged 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 75 games last season for the Celts . ...
The Milwaukee Bucks announced they have signed free agent forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Bucks forward and NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo . ...
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. resigned with the Phoenix Suns on a multiyear deal . ...
The Sacramento Kings signed free agent forward Richaun Holmes.
Wild re-sign Donato
The Minnesota Wild resigned restricted free agent forward Ryan Donato, as well as forward Nico Sturm and defenseman Carson Soucy.
Donato received a twoyear, $3.8 million contract. He had four goals and 12 assists in 16 games for the Wild last season after being acquired from the Bruins in a trade for Charlie Coyle . ...
Seattle’s NHL expansion team, which is set to begin play with the 2021-22 season, is close to an agreement with Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis to become its first general manager . ...
The Washington Capitals re-signed winger Jakub Vrana to a two-year, $6.7 million contract . ...
The Chicago Blackhawks traded Artem Anisimov to Ottawa for Zack Smith ,a swap of 31-year-old forwards . ...
The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed defenseman Haydn Fleury to a one-year contract worth $850,000 . ...
Veteran defenseman Michael Del Zotto agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Anaheim Ducks, who also signed centers Chase De Leo and Justin Kloos, and defenseman Chris Wideman.
WNBA suspension
Los Angeles Sparks guard Riquna Williams was suspended without pay by the WNBA for 10 games — nearly a third of the season — for a domestic violence incident.
Williams was arrested on April 29 and charged with two felony counts, one involving the assault of an individual with whom she was in a relationship and the other involving a threat to another person with a firearm. Her criminal case is ongoing.
The WNBA conducted its own investigation and consulted with a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence. Among other factors, the league said it took into account the nature and seriousness of the allegations, including the involvement of a gun. The WNBA also will require Williams to participate in counseling.
AAC OK with 11
Commissioner Mike Aresco says the American Athletic Conference has no plans to add a member to replace Connecticut when the school leaves to join the Big East.
UConn’s return to the Big East was announced last month, but when it departs from the American and how much it will have to pay in exit fees still must be negotiated. Both sides would prefer the transition to happen after this school year.
The move will leave the conference with 11 football members. Aresco said the American is not targeting any schools to add, but it is open to a school that could add value to the conference.