A BIG BEN CONTRACT
Simmons gets 5-year extension
The 76ers and star guard Ben Simmons have agreed to a $170 million, five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The max deal is the latest big commitment by a team expected to make a serious push at its first NBA championship since 1983.
Simmons, 22, will make $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. His salary for the next season will jump to $29.3 million and rise to nearly $39 million in 202425.
The deal solidifies the 76ers’ core for the next few seasons. All-Star Joel Embiid and Al Horford are under contract though 2023, Tobias Harris through 2024 and now Simmons through 2025. Horford got a $109 million, four-year deal and Embiid agreed last season to a $147 million, fiveyear deal.
CAVS RELEASE J.R.
J.R. Smith’s never-a-dullmoment run with the Cavaliers is over.
Cleveland released the colorful shooting guard Monday before his $15.6 million contract for next season became guaranteed. The Cavs had been trying to trade Smith for months, but the team was unable to find the right deal even after he agreed to extend his guarantee date from June 30 to July 15.
By waiving Smith, the Cavaliers will open salary-cap space and will move under the luxury tax threshold for next season.
The 33-year-old played in just 11 games last season after he stepped away from the team in hopes of being traded or released. It was a mutual decision because he wasn’t happy with his role and the Cavaliers didn’t want him to be a negative influence on their young players.
Once he clears waivers, Smith will be a free agent and can sign anywhere. Last week, Smith said he wasn’t finished playing and smiled when asked if it’s been strange not being part of a team for the past eight months.
ALEX SMITH PROGRESS
Washington quarterback Alex Smith has finally shed the massive brace on his right leg eight months after breaking his tibia and fibula in gruesome fashion.
Smith’s wife, Elizabeth, posted a photo Monday of him holding the ring external fixator in his hand. The team’s Twitter account re-posted that picture with the message, “The brace is off! A great step for Alex in his recovery.”