Shaquille O’Neal Wants To Learn How Ben Simmons Can Make $80 Million And Play Only 55 Games

O’Neal said on his podcast that he wants to learn how Simmons can make $80 million while playing only 55 games. 

Simmons signed a massive five-year, $177 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2019. The lefty has played in only 172 games with the Sixers and Nets since signing that deal. 

Simmons appeared in only 15 games this season. He’s averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 58.1% from the field and 40.0% from the free-throw line. 

The Nets acquired Simmons from the Sixers in the James Harden trade in February 2022. Simmons has played in just 57 games with Brooklyn. 

Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He’s made three All-Star teams, two All-Defensive teams and one All-NBA team. 

On March 14, Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. The LSU product is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp next season.

Simmons has undergone two back surgeries since getting traded to the Nets. His agent, Bernie Lee, said it’s his fault the Nets swingman is injured again. 

“It is a continuation of the same injury that he has dealt with all year,” Lee told SNY. “…We are trying to get clearer answers as to how to get him out of the reactive cycle he’s in. We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis and that is where this is my responsibility and I am (the) one to blame.

“When I began working with Ben I made a commitment to him that I would do everything I could to find the right answers and specialists for him to work with (in order) to move forward from the issues he has been having. Clearly it hasn’t happened, and that’s my responsibility.”

Simmons has career averages of 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks. He’ll make $40.3 million in 2024-25.