Simmons, 76ers agree to five-year, $170M extension

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers and star guard Ben Simmons agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Monday.

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 four-year rookie deal. His salary for the next season will jump to about $29.3 million and rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract is not official.

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.

In other pro basketball news:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers waived shooting guard J.R. Smith. Cleveland had been trying to trade Smith for months but could not find the right package and released him to cut space under the salary cap and avoid paying luxury taxes. Smith’s days were numbered when he agreed to leave the club in November after 11 games. Smith, 33, was not happy with his role, and the Cavs didn’t want him around their young players.

• Brandon Clarke had 15 points and 16 rebounds to lead the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies to a 95-92 victory over the thirdseeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the championship game of the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas.