76ers to begin fining disgruntled Ben Simmons again—report
FILE – Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers bumps into fans during the fourth quarter during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center on June 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
The Philadelphia 76ers have resumed fining All-Star guard Ben Simmons his $360,000 check for each game he misses, ESPN reported Friday.
Simmons has yet to play this season, saying he isn’t mentally ready.
The team assessed him $2 million in penalties for holding out of training camp and not taking part in required team activities. They stopped fining him two weeks ago when he said he would get assistance from a mental health professional.
However, while Simmons has cooperated with a team doctor for a back issue, he had not told the 76ers about his plan for mental health treatment, despite being asked to submit one more than once, ESPN said. He has refused to provide any details or to consult with mental health providers arranged by the team.
Simmons has four years and $147 million remaining on his five-year contract. At practice, he works individually, and fines will begin again if he doesn’t take part in team events, such as film study and strength training, per the report.
Simmons has been seeking a trade for months, but the 76ers have been unable to find a trade partner. He and his representatives are not happy with how the team responded to criticism of his subpar play in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
In his absence, Philadelphia is off to a 7-2 start — the best record in the Eastern Conference — after a 109-98 win over the Detroit Pistons. The renewed fines for Simmons kicked in with that game, ESPN reported.
Just before the season opener in New Orleans, coach Doc Rivers ejected Simmons from practice after he wouldn’t sub in for a drill. He subsequently was suspended for the first game.
