Sixers fine Ben Simmons $360K for missing latest win, lack of cooperation
The saga between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers took another turn on Friday when the team placed another punishment on Simmons. The 25-year old All-Star missed Thursday’s road win over the Detroit Pistons and the team decided to fine him $360K for his absence.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Sixers are fining Simmons for a bit of a lack of cooperation with the team. The organization feels as if they are doing everything in their power to help him mentally prepare to get back out there, but he is not exactly keeping the team in the loop.
Sixers officials believe they have been supportive of Simmons’ stated need for mental health assistance and are left no choice but for these actions in response to the three-time All-Star’s refusal to provide basic details of his course of mental health meetings, evaluation or treatments or to accept consultation with any specialists arranged by the team, sources said. Simmons has worked with mental health professionals via the National Basketball Players Association.
ESPN Sources: The 76ers fined Ben Simmons his $360K game salary for missing Thursday’s game and plan to resume fining him until he cooperates with team physicians on his mental health issues and fulfills other basketball-related obligations. Story: https://t.co/U4RyCJwKp5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 5, 2021
The Sixers had recently stopped fining Simmons after he ended his holdout on Oct. 11. He has been with the team in practices and at shootarounds, but he still remains distant from the team. He recently told president Daryl Morey that he is not ready just yet to return, but the Sixers are clearly beginning to grow frustrated again with the lack of knowledge regarding his status.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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