Ben Simmons Current Contract Overview
Ben Simmons signed a five-year maximum rookie extension with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2017, with the deal structured to run through the 2021-22 season and containing a player option for the 2022-23 year. The contract was worth up to $170 million fully guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid guards in the league at the time of signing. The agreement includes standard NBA salary escalators and full guarantee language that protects Simmons in the event of injury or team decision to part ways. The structure also features a trade kicker and no-trade clause negotiated as part of the extension, giving Simmons significant control over any future movement. For the latest contract figures and structure, see the official team salary cap details reported by the NBA and verified by ESPN salary data Ben Simmons contract details and salary.
The 76ers have publicly stated that Simmons remains under contract and that the team views him as a core piece of the roster despite reported friction and missed games. The contract guarantees his salary for each season, meaning the team must pay him in full regardless of on-court performance or availability. The final guaranteed season of the deal carries a salary of roughly $33 million, with the player option for the following season at a similar figure. The contract also includes incentives tied to All-NBA and All-Defensive selections, though those bonuses are relatively modest compared to the base salary. The full guarantee structure means the 76ers cannot simply release Simmons without absorbing the remaining money owed, which complicates any trade or buyout scenario.
Salary Breakdown and Financial Terms
Simmons' annual salary under the current deal rises each season, starting at roughly $17 million in the first year of the extension and climbing to over $33 million in the final guaranteed season. The salary cap hit for the 76ers remains consistent with the league's maximum rookie scale rules, and the team has limited flexibility to create cap space without trading him or using the stretch provision. The contract does not include a signing bonus or likely incentive clauses that would significantly alter the base salary figures. The salary is fully guaranteed for injury, meaning the team pays him even if he is unable to play due to physical or mental health reasons. The exact salary figures for each season are publicly available through NBA salary databases and team filings Ben Simmons salary and contract breakdown.
The trade kicker in the contract adds approximately 15 percent to any salary Simmons receives if he is traded to another team, making a Simmons trade more expensive for the receiving club. The no-trade clause gives Simmons the right to veto any potential trade, which means the 76ers must negotiate with him directly before moving him. The contract also includes standard protections against the team amnestying him or using other contract termination tools that would save salary. The financial terms make Simmons one of the most expensive players on the 76ers roster relative to his on-court production in recent seasons. The team's salary cap situation is further constrained by the fact that Simmons' contract cannot be easily restructured or bought out without his cooperation.
Contract Status, Trade Context, and Current Standing
Simmons has been the subject of repeated trade rumors due to his absence from the team during the 2021-22 season and reported disagreements with the coaching staff and front office. Despite the trade speculation, the 76ers have not formally placed him on the trade market, and Simmons has not waived his no-trade clause. The contract remains fully in effect, and the team continues to pay his salary while he remains under contract.