While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made headlines with a historic $285 million extension that will see him earn nearly $1 million per game by 2030, another former All-Star’s name is trending for the opposite reason: Ben Simmons. Once hailed as the next great two-way star, Simmons’ fall from grace has become one of the most staggering declines in recent NBA history.
Over the last four years, the Australian point-forward has appeared in just 108 games but earned over $148 million in that span, amounting to a jaw-dropping $1.36 million per appearance.
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of Simmons’ earnings and game count:
2021–22: 0 games played – $34 million earned
2022–23: 42 games played – $35.4 million earned
2023–24: 15 games played – $37.8 million earned
2024–25: 51 games played – $40.3 million earned
Total: 108 games – $147.5 million earned
This isn’t a tale of a role player riding the bench. Simmons was once an elite defender and high-IQ playmaker, a 6’10” point guard with the vision of Magic Johnson and the body of a modern big.
A three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member, and 2019-20 All-NBA selection, Simmons earned his $177 million extension from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. At that time, he was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and arguably one of the most valuable transition threats in the league.
But the downfall came fast and hard. Following a disastrous 2021 playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, where he infamously passed up an open dunk in crunch time, Simmons sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to mental health and back issues.
The Nets traded for him, believing he’d eventually return to form, but that optimism never paid off.
What followed were seasons plagued by injuries, questionable effort, and underwhelming performances. His once-elite perimeter defense waned. His reluctance to shoot, particularly from outside the paint, became more glaring. And now, in the summer of 2025, Simmons remains a free agent with no takers.
Simmons is reportedly seeking more than a league-minimum contract, but even that is proving a hard sell. While his size and defensive instincts still intrigue some teams, his health remains a red flag. His offensive limitations, including an unwillingness to even attempt jump shots, make him a tough fit in today’s pace-and-space game.
Meanwhile, players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are redefining the modern superstar. Shai just led the Thunder to their first-ever NBA title, won the MVP, scoring title, and both playoff MVP awards, and was rewarded with a deal that will pay him $78.8 million in the 2030–31 season alone. That’s nearly $1 million every game.
Simmons’ career earnings will remain a cautionary tale, a player who once had all the tools but couldn’t stay healthy or evolve. The NBA pays for production. And in Simmons’ case, it paid for potential that never fully returned.
