Sixers officially sign Robert Covington to 4-year extension

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Wendesday, November 15, 2017 was the first day that the Sixers could extend Robert Covington by rule of the NBA collective bargaining agreement, and the team wasted no time inking the "Rock" of their defense.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the news Wednesday evening:

Sources: Robert Covington and 76ers finalizing framework of a 4-year, $62M contract extension. I'll have more details on NBA Countdown at 7 PM ET. https://t.co/WSXinUQYGg

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2017

The Sixers have increased the value of Covington's current contract in order to reduce his cap hit in the coming four years according to Derek Bodner of The Athletic:

The $62 million total for Robert Covington's extension includes the renegotiated amount this year, plus a 4-year extension, per source. #sixers

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) November 16, 2017

Bodner reports that Covington's salary will increase to roughly $16.7 million for the remainder of this season, and the contract's value will never exceed $12.5 million during the four years that Covington has been extended for.

Covington joined the Sixers when then-general manager Sam Hinkie signed him on November 15, 2014 from the NBA's development league (now the G-League). Exactly three years after his first NBA contract was signed Covington has been rewarded with a substantial raise and a spot as a core player on one of the most exciting up-and-coming teams in the NBA.