The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Simmons reportedly offered max contract extension; Pelle signs on
CAMDEN, N.J. >> The Sixers continue to be serious about building a roster and making sure it will endure for a while.
After agreeing this week to long-term deals with Tobias Harris and Al Horford, Elton Brand was close Tuesday to finalizing a five-year extension that could keep Ben Simmons with the club until 2025. According to ESPN, the deal would be worth $168 million.
The Rookie of the Year in 2018, Simmons averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists last season, when he made the NBA AllStar team.
A point guard with the ability to swing to the frontcourt, Simmons’ value rose when alternate point guard Jimmy Butler was ticketed for a sign-and-trade deal to go to the Miami Heat. In return, the Sixers will receive 6-6 Josh Richardson and pair him in a long backcourt with the 6-10 Simmons.
Simmons had been bracing for some offseason roster upheaval.
“Whatever team is here and whatever team is here to play, that’s what we will be working with,” he said at season’s end. “We have to get ready and build chemistry for next season.”
••• The Sixers signed center Norvel Pelle to a two-way contract.
Pelle, a 6-11 leaper and rim protector, is 26 and spent last season with the Sixers’ G-League affiliate in Delaware.
A native of Antigua and Barbuda, Pelle did not play college basketball and has played internationally in Italy, Lebanon and Taiwan. He was in training camp with the Sixers last year, then played for the Blue Coats, averaging 11.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots. He was on the G-League All-Defensive team.
“I definitely have confidence in my game,” said Pelle after a Sixers summer league practice Tuesday. “It’s timing. Everything is about timing.”
The Sixers had difficulty last season finding capable center help whenever Joel Embiid was unavailable due to injury, load management or sickness. They have addressed that need by agreeing to a four-year deal with Al Horford, a one-year veteran-minimum pact with Kyle O’Quinn and by committing to Pelle.
Two-way contracted players will be assigned to the G-League, but can spend up to 45 days with the NBA club.
“I couldn’t be any more excited for Norvel,” said Connor Johnson, the Blue Coats head coach who will guide the Sixers in the summer league. “He had a great year last year. He showed what he can do as a rim protector. I also think at the defensive end he can sit down and guard guards at a high level. To see a guy with his athleticism and his stature sit down and move his feet the way he does is really impressive.”
••• Guard Shake Milton will sign a four-year deal with the Sixers, a source says.
A second-year pro, Milton was on a two-way contract last season. For the Sixers, he played 20 games, averaging 4.4 points.
“I just want to become more of an all-around player, working on my defense,” said Milton, at the minicamp Tuesday. “And I want to be a more consistent shooter.
“I knew my first season was going to have a lot of ups and downs. That’s kind of how it was. I took everything as a learning process. And I think it really paid off for me.” •••
James Ennis, who brought energy to the Sixers’ brief postseason run last season, will return on a two-year minimum deal. An NBA source said Ennis had more lucrative offers, but preferred to return to Philadelphia.
The Sixers acquired the five-year pro in an in-season trade with Houston for a second-round draft pick. He averaged 5.3 points in the regular season, but 7.5 points after winning a battle to earn a spot in Brett Brown’s shortened postseason rotation.
“Everything is great here,” Ennis said after the season. “It’s a championship organization. The coaching staff is unbelievable. Everything about this place is. I am happy to be here.”
••• The Sixers closed their three-day minicamp Wednesday. They will open summer league play Friday against Milwaukee in Las Vegas.