Ben Simmons Salary And Contract Overview
Ben Simmons salary and earnings are defined by a large contract signed in 2019, creating a predictable earnings path through the mid-2020s while shaping how teams value his mix of size, playmaking, and defense. This overview explains the structure of his current deal, how performance incentives and options affect his money, and how it all fits into the broader NBA salary landscape. Below you’ll find a concise factual summary and a deeper dive into the numbers that matter.
Salary Table Snapshot
| Season (Year) | Base Salary | Team Options/Left To Earn | Incentives/Notes | Source Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | $36,585,344 | Team option (PHI) | Qualifying offer context; contract details public via CBA filings | Public NBA records |
| 2025–26 | $39,322,080 | Team option (PHI) | Escalators tied to games played/awards in prior CBA context | Public NBA records |
| 2026–27 | $42,058,816 | Player option (PHI) | Trade scenarios and health clauses affect realizable value | Public NBA records |
| 2023–24 (actual) | $33,570,702 | — | Played season; no offset language materially changed payout in public filings | Public NBA records |
All figures represent guaranteed base salary where noted; options and incentives are described in context below.
How The Current Contract Works
Simmons is in the latter years of a Rookie Scale Extension negotiated before the 2019–20 season. The deal is fully guaranteed and provides a steady climb in salary, with the Philadelphia 76ers holding team options for 2024–25 and 2025–26 and Simmons holding a player option for 2026–27. Key design features include:
- Fully guaranteed money: Every year on the table is guaranteed in the CBA baseline, so injury or reduced playing time does not void base salary unless specific offset or buyout clauses are triggered in a trade.
- Options: Team options give Philadelphia control through 2025–26; the player option in 2026–27 lets Simmons choose Philadelphia or test the open market, subject to CBA rules about when options can be exercised or declined.
- Incentive landscape: While no large playoff or All-Star incentives are publicly highlighted, roster bonuses tied to games played and service time milestones can supplement compensation under league rules.
Earnings Context And Market Comparables
To understand Ben Simmons salary in perspective, it helps to compare it to peers with similar size, playmaking responsibility, and defensive expectations. On a pure annual basis, his deal sits above many veteran role players but below top-tier combo guards and high-usage stars. Consider these directional comparisons when evaluating his earnings:
| Player Type | Representative Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star Playmaker (top 10 PG) | $45M–$50M+ | Max-level veteran with high usage |
| Two-Way Starter/3-and-D Wing | $25M–$35M | Significant defensive role, some playmaking |
| Size-and-Skill Facilitator (similar role to Simmons) | $34M–$42M | Mix of rim protection, passing, and perimeter defense |
These ranges reflect public market values and CBI norms; individual deals can vary with bonuses, offsets, and frontloading. Simmons’ trajectory makes him one of the higher-paid players in the size-and-skill facilitator tier as of the 2024–25 season.
Offset Language And Potential Scenarios
Offset clauses determine whether salary continues during specific scenarios such as trades or injury-related holdsout situations. For Simmons, publicly filed CBA information indicates standard offset treatment where base salary is typically not offset dollar-for-dollar in trades; however, trade specifics and future collective bargaining changes could alter realizations. Considerations include:
- Trade situations: If traded, base salary generally remains guaranteed unless a unique buyout or offset agreement is negotiated as part of the deal.
- Long-term injury: Team-paid injury procedures under the league’s benefit plan may provide supplementary funds, but they do not usually replace full salary in a straightforward offset manner.
- Player option outcomes: If Simmons exercises his 2026–27 option, he locks in another year at the then-scheduled salary; declining makes him an unrestricted free agent with market leverage.
What The Data Suggests About Future Earnings
Because his contract escalates toward 2026–27, a lot of Ben Simmons salary exposure will depend on whether he exercises the player option, is traded, or signs a long-term extension. From a planning standpoint, three scenarios are plausible:
- Exercise player option: He remains with Philadelphia on a known schedule, with salary increasing toward 2026–27 levels unless a CBA or extension resets terms.
- Early trade: Philadelphia could trade his contract provided offset rules and counterpart cap space allow it; salary obligations would carry over per CBA trade provisions.
- Extension before 2026–27: A new deal could smooth the spike at the player option, blending term, averages, and incentives.
In all cases, verified earnings will hinge on collective bargaining rules at the time, team decisions, and Simmons’ health and roster status. Because offsets and injury nuances can shift outcomes, treating stated salary figures as a fixed ceiling or floor is best avoided without specific agreement language.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Simmons salary is defined by a 2019 rookie-scale extension with scheduled increases and team options through 2025–26, plus a player option in 2026–27.
- Annual earnings run in the mid-$30 million range today, climbing toward the early $40s by the final contract year.
- Base salary is generally guaranteed, but options, potential trades, and CBA updates can change how much value is ultimately realized.
- Compared with positional peers, his compensation fits the higher end of large, two-way forwards and size-and-skill facilitators rather than top-flight ball-dominant guards.
For the most current details, consult official NBA CBA documents or verified club and league filings, as collective bargaining changes or club-specific amendments can alter terms and interpretations over time.