Nov 1st, 2017

Nov 1st, 2017

Australian NBA star Ben Simmons is set to get a massive pay bump after the Philadelphia 76ers announced they will take up the third year option of his rookie contract.

Fresh off scoring a career high 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the 115-107 win over the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia has decided to move quick on the 21-year-old.

The 76ers decision will see Simmons pocket $8.4 million in his third season according to reports.

As the number one 2016 NBA draft pick, the Australian is expected to earn more than $35 million over the course of his four-year rookie deal.

His rookie contract means rival NBA teams won’t be allowed to approach Simmons until the end of the 2019-20 NBA season.

(AAP)

Simmons set to earn a massive pay bump.

In addition to his rookie contract, the Australian also signed a five-year shoe deal with Nike worth $US20 million.

And to put things in perspective, the Sixers also announced they won’t be activating the fourth year of former No.3 pick Jahlil Okafor’s rookie contract.

Not so lucky, Jahlil Okafor.(AAP)

According to ESPN, Okafor becomes the first number three pick in the history of the NBA draft not have the fourth year of his rookie deal renewed.

Okafor was in line to fetch $8.2 million next season but the team has decided to leave the big man hanging, leaving open the prospect of the former college star becoming a free agent if the franchise can’t find a trade partner for his services.

With Simmons and teammate Joel Embiid displaying brilliant form, coach Brett Brown has reportedly made it clear that Okafor won’t be given any court time if he stays in Philadelphia.