Nets' Ben Simmons Signs 3-Year Shoe Contract with Nike After New Balance Negotiations

Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons signed a three-year contract extension on his shoe deal with Nike after having discussions with New Balance about potentially switching brands.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Friday (via HoopsHype) that Simmons entered "advanced negotiations" with New Balance. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the decision to stick with Nike.

Simmons originally signed with Nike ahead of the 2016 NBA draft after a bidding war that also included Adidas.

Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported his first deal was a five-year contract with $20 million in guaranteed money and bonuses based on individual awards.

The LSU product, who was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers six years ago, hit at least one of those incentives by winning the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award (he missed his first season because of injury).

Terms of the new agreement weren't immediately announced.

Simmons has yet to play during the 2021-22 season. He started the campaign as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but lingering frustrations with the franchise led him to seek a trade.

The Australia native engaged in a holdout during training camp after he wasn't traded during the offseason. He returned before the start of the regular season but decided not to play games while focusing on his mental health.

He was ultimately dealt to the Nets in February as part of a blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to the Sixers.

Simmons has been sidelined by a back injury since his trade to Brooklyn.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported Friday the point guard will "likely" miss the start of the playoffs and could sit out the team's entire postseason run.

Whenever Simmons does return to the court, he'll continue to wear the Nike swoosh on his shoes.