How Much Money Has Ben Simmons Made In The Nba

Picture this: It’s a crisp October evening in Philadelphia. The arena is buzzing, and a rookie named Ben Simmons is about to check into his first NBA game. You can almost hear the collective breath being held. He dribbles the ball up the court, all 6’10” of him, looking like a point guard trapped in a power forward’s body. That first paycheck? It felt like Monopoly money to the rest of us, but for him, it was just the start.

The Rookie Paycheck

Ben Simmons didn’t just walk into the league; he strode in with a record-breaking rookie contract. After being the number one overall pick in 2016, he signed a four-year, $27.3 million deal. That’s about $6.8 million a year, just for showing up and playing basketball. Not bad for a guy who technically didn’t play a single game his first season due to injury, right?

Let’s put that in perspective: that’s more money than most of us will see in a lifetime, and it was just his introductory salary. By then, he had already cashed a signing bonus worth over $15 million, all before he ever logged a single minute of NBA action. Cue the eye roll from your wallet.

The Max-Contract Era

Then came the big leagues of money: the max contract. In 2019, after his Rookie of the Year campaign and an All-Star appearance, Simmons inked a five-year, $177 million extension with the 76ers. Yes, you read that correctly—$177 million. That’s roughly the GDP of a small island nation, or the combined student debt of your entire Facebook feed.

“But wait,” you might say, “didn’t he have a huge falling out with Philly in 2021?” Oh, absolutely. That’s what makes this story even more deliciously ironic. He forced a trade to the Brooklyn Nets, but here’s the kicker: he still got paid for the season he sat out due to his holdout. The NBA’s structure meant he received all but $3.5 million of his $33 million salary for that year. He essentially earned $29.5 million for zero games played. Ironic? More like a MasterClass in financial wizardry.

The Brooklyn Bump

Once the trade dust settled, Simmons’s contract transferred to the Nets. He’s currently in the fourth year of that max deal, earning a whopping $37.9 million for the 2023-2024 season. That’s over $100,000 per game if he plays all 82, which, let’s be real, he hasn’t lately. His career has been defined by back surgeries and mental health breaks, but his bank account has never flinched.

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Through all the missed layups and media scrutiny, Simmons has earned a grand total of over $210 million in salary alone, as of early 2025. That number doesn’t even include his endorsement deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, or other brands. Add in those sponsorships, and his career earnings likely top $240 million. Remember, this is a guy who has yet to shoot a single three-pointer in the playoffs. Let that sink in.

The Ironic Twist

Here’s where it gets deeply, darkly funny: for all that cash, Simmons has never cracked the top 10 in MVP voting. He’s never been the best player on a championship team. His highest scoring average? A modest 16.4 points per game. Yet, his bank account screams “first-ballot Hall of Famer.” It’s a surreal reminder that in the NBA, potential and size often pay more than production.

To make it sting a bit more (or less, depending on your perspective), his net worth is estimated at $100 million after taxes and spending. That means he could buy himself a private island, a fleet of Porsches, and still have enough left over to never work again. Meanwhile, the rest of us are debating whether to get guacamole at Chipotle.

Ben Simmons Made Absurd Amount Of Money Over Last 3 Years

The Future Payday

So, how much more money is Ben Simmons going to make? His current contract runs through 2025, with a player option for the 2024-2025 season worth $40.3 million. If he opts in (which, based on his recent play, he absolutely will), he’ll push his career salary past the $250 million mark. That’s a quarter of a billion dollars for a player whose highlight reel is starting to feel like a museum exhibit.

The lesson here isn’t just about numbers, though. It’s about how the NBA’s salary cap works: it rewards potential and pedigree over, you know, actually being healthy and consistent. Ben Simmons is the human embodiment of that system. He signed that first max contract when he was 23, and honestly? Good for him for negotiating. But also, ouch.

I’ll leave you with this: next time you see Ben Simmons dribble the air out of the ball on a fast break, take a deep breath. That hesitation is costing his team points, but it’s paying his mortgage—all 17 of them. And if you’re feeling generous, just remember: he’s already made more money than your great-grandchildren ever will. Life isn’t fair, but at least your local rec league game is free to watch.