A former undrafted free agent from Tennessee State, Robert Covington has worked his way into being part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ long-term future.
This has been known since the now 26-year-old took on a large role with the team back in 2014-15. Now, it’s close to become set in stone. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers and Covington are finalizing a four-year, $62 million contract extension.
“The deal will include a $15 million renegotiation bump on Covington’s $1.57 million salary this season, plus an additional four years that’ll keep Covington under contract through the 2021-22 season,” Wojnarowski reported.
Covington has been a major find for Philadelphia throughout his three-plus years with the team. This season alone, the forward is averaging 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting at a 50 percent mark, both from the field and on three-pointers.
With fellow youngster Joel Embiid already locked up, it’s readily apparent that the always forward-thinking Sixers franchise has a plan in place for the future. Add in the emergence of 2016 No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, and things are definitely looking up for this long downtrodden team.