The Sixers’ core is here to stay.

Ben Simmons signed a five-year, $170 million max extension with the team yesterday, keeping the core of himself, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, Al Horford, Jonah Bolden, Zhaire Smith, and Matisse Thybulle locked up until 2022.

On paper, that’s a solid looking team. And there’s certainly no doubt the Sixers can compete for a trip to the NBA Finals in that time frame. Even with Milwaukee, Brooklyn (especially in 2020-21 with Kevin Durant healthy), Boston, and Indiana looking to do the same.

The big thing for Simmons is if he can shoot. I still think the contract is worth it, but if he still hasn’t developed a shot by the time his max is up, it’s worth questioning if he should be brought back. But I doubt he doesn’t have a shot in five years and could be a top 10 or top 5 player in the league.

Things are looking bright for the Sixers and Elton Brand.

Elsewhere, the team will host the Guangzhou Loong Lions in a preseason game in October. And could this be a new jersey for this season?

The Roundup:

Thank God the Ben Simmons news was first because ho boy did the Phillies suck last night. It was a 16-2 home loss to the Dodgers, who were coming off a marathon game in Boston the previous night.

Scott Kingery homered in the bottom of the third to give the Phils their only lead. Los Angeles then put up six runs in the top of the fourth. Zach Eflin pitched six innings and gave up seven total runs off nine hits.

The bullpen gave up nine runs altogether. Yacksel Rios gave up four runs and was ejected for hitting Justin Turner with a pitch (who actually sided with Rios and didn’t think he deserved an ejection). Roman Quinn pitched an inning and a third to wrap things up.

So yeah, it sucked.

Anyway, the two teams play again tonight at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Vince Velasquez takes the mound against Walker Buehler. They’ve lost all four games against the Dodgers this season by a combined score of 34-8. Will that margin grow?

While you wait for whatever happens, make sure you listen to the latest episode of Crossed Up.

Carson Wentz and company found out their Madden ratings yesterday. The Eagles are the highest rated team in the game.

In real life football, the Birds look like a monster in the red zone. On paper at least.

Ross Tucker will replace Mike Mayock as the team’s color commentator for preseason games, as a friendly reminder.

In other sports news, boxing legend Pernell Whitaker died at the age of 55. He was 8-0 in Philly and New Jersey.

JR Smith was waived by the Cavaliers, and he’s not going to the Lakers.

The New Jersey Devils mascot ran into a glass window and broke it.

This New York Mets bingo board is pretty sad, but also awesome if you’re not a Mets fan.

In the news, Meek Mill is scheduled to appear in Superior Court later today.

If you’re going to storm Area 51, the military will be ready.