Robert Covington, Sixers agree to four-year, $62 million extension

The Sixers and Robert Covington have agreed to a four-year extension worth $62 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal will extend Covington’s tenure with Philadelphia through the 2021-22 season. His salary for this season was increased by $15 million, according to Wojnarowski, as part of the negotiation. That’s the largest bump since salary renegotiations became possible.

Covington leads all Sixers in games played for the team, bursting onto the scene during the beginning of The Process. He was a rare find as an undrafted free agent from Tennessee State who is off to a fantastic start to the season. He’s scoring 17 points per game on an unreal 50 percent shooting from three (on seven attempts per game!)

The 6’9 forward is a versatile defender as well, making him a perfect fit alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. At 26 years old, this deal should take him through his NBA prime.

The Sixers agreed to this deal on the first day they were allowed to per CBA rules, three years after Covington signed his first contract. They wasted no time because he’s been THAT good.

Covington has evolved into one of the league’s best three-and-D players and fills a perfect role in a Sixers offense that lacks exactly that at times. On this deal, he’s a bargain for Philly, which could have nearly $25 million in cap space available next season, according to Woj. And this deal will run through Covington’s prime.

This is Covington’s first big payday of his life, having fought through the D-League as an undrafted player, then playing out a three-year, $3 million contract before his extension. This is huge, life-changing money!

This also keeps Covington with a team poised for a deep playoff run sooner than expected and doesn’t compromise cap flexibility for his team this summer.

The pieces are falling in place for the Sixers.