Simmons, 76ers land longterm extension
The Philadelphia 76ers and guard Ben Simmons have agreed to a $170 million, fiveyear contract extension, a person familiar with the situation said.
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 about $8.1 million this season, the last of his fouryear rookie deal. His salary for the next season will jump to about $29.3 million and rise to nearly $39 million in 202425, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is not official.
The deal solidifies the 76ers’ core for the next few seasons. AllStar Joel Embiid and Al Horford are under contract though 2023, Tobias Harris through 2024 and now Simmons through 2025. Horford got a $109 million, fouryear deal and Embiid agreed last season to a $147 million, fiveyear deal.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016. He made his NBA debut in the 201718 season and was Rookie of the Year. He was an AllStar for the first time last season. He has averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists in his two seasons.
J.R. Smith’s never-a-dull-moment run with the Cavaliers is over. Cleveland released the shooting guard 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 salarycap space and will move under the luxurytax threshold for next season.
The 33yearold 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. Summer League: Brandon Clarke had 15 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 9592 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the championship game in Las Vegas.
Clarke, a 6foot8 rookie forward from Gonzaga who began his college career at San Jose State, was named overall MVP for the summer league. He added three blocks and four assists to earn the championship game MVP and had four doubledoubles in the tournament.
The Grizzlies, who led by as many as 17 points, were up by only two after three quarters, but got a boost from Grayson Allen, who scored 10 of his teamhigh 17 points in the second half and deflected the ball away to keep Minnesota from taking a lastsecond shot.
The Timberwolves, who went into the game as the lone undefeated team, got back into the game behind the hot hand of Kelan Martin, who drained three 3pointers in the third quarter. Minnesota cut Memphis’ lead to one point six times. Martin led five Minnesota players in double figures, finishing with a gamehigh 19 points. NFL: Cincinnati Bengals left guard Clint Boling retired after eight seasons in the NFL, citing medical concerns. Boling was the team’s most dependable offensive lineman, playing every snap last season . ... The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on a fouryear extension . ... The New York Giants suspended safety Kam Moore amid charges he punched a woman, stepped on her neck and rendered her unconscious . ... Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Derrick Morgan said he’s retiring after playing nine NFL seasons for five head coaches. WNBA: Former Stanford forward Nneka Ogwumike, who plays for Los Angeles, was among the players named to the league’s AllStar reserve list. Also selected by the league’s head coaches were Courtney Vandersloot, Diamond DeShields and Allie Quigley, all of the Chicago Sky; Tina Charles of New York; Candice Dupree and Erica Wheeler of Indiana; DeWanna Bonner of Phoenix; Sylvia Fowles and Odyssey Sims of Minnesota; Alyssa Thomas of Connecticut and Kristi Toliver of Washington.
The game will take place in Las Vegas on July 27. Captains Elena Delle Donne and A’ja Wilson will choose their teams from the eight other starters and then the 12 reserves. Soccer: The U.S. men’s team will follow its loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final by playing El Tri in an exhibition Sept. 6 in East Rutherford, N.J. Tennis: Simona Halep’s Wimbledon championship lifted her from No. 7 to No. 4 in the WTA rankings. Runnerup Serena Williams moved up one spot to No. 9, her best placing since returning to the tour last season after having a baby. NHL: Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov signed a oneyear deal in the Kontinental Hockey League as he sits out the final months of his NHL suspension for domestic violence. Boxing: Gafur Rakhimov, a businessman with alleged links to organized crime, resigned as president of the International Boxing Association after his tenure played a role in the organization being stripped of the right to organize the Olympic boxing events. Rodeo: Three more horses competing in the Calgary Stampede have died, bringing to six the number of deaths at the annual rodeo and exhibition. The horses were injured during chuckwagon races and were euthanized. Diving: Chen Aisen won his third straight world championship title by partnering with Cao Yuan in the men’s 10meter platform synchronized event in Gwangju, South Korea.