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Ben Simmons is in his fifth NBA season and first as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons is averaging 8.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, all career-lows. He is, however, shooting a career-high 61.1% from the field.
Simmons will make $35.4 million in the third year of a five-year, $177 million contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. The three-time All-Star played one year of college basketball at LSU. His annual contract makes him the highest-paid NBA player to emerge from the Tigers programme.
Simmons, who is set to earn $203.4 million by the end of his contract, trails only former LSU star Shaquille O'Neal in total career earnings. The NBA Hall of Famer made $286.3 million in his illustrious 19-year career. While contracts have ballooned over the last decade, O'Neal, who retired following the 2010-2011 season, still ranks ninth in all-time career earnings.
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O'Neal's highest earnings during a single season came in 2004-05, his final season with the LA Lakers, when he received $27.7 million. Forty-seven players will make more than that this season.
Garrett Temple is the next highest earning player to emerge from LSU. The New Orleans Pelicans guard has earned $47.3 million in his career. Tyrus Thomas, the fourth overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, follows with $46.6 million. Stromile Swift, the second overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, trails Thomas with careering earnings totaling $43.2 million.
Brandon Bass, who spent 12 seasons in the league, earned $37.8 million. They're followed by Marcus Thornton and Glen Davis, who both spent eight seasons in the NBA and made $33.8 and $33.2 million respectively.
Watch Ben Simmons' highlights below:
Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers contract
Ben Simmons spent nearly six seasons as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but only suited up in four seasons, playing 275 games. Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 56.0% from the field.
Watch Ben Simmons' best career assists below:
He was selected to three All-Star Teams, two All-Defensive Teams and one All-NBA Team during his four-year stint in Philadelphia. He earned $78.5 million over his five and a half years with the 76ers.
