Just when things looked to be improving in the situation between NBA All-Star Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers, they have taken a turn for the worse again. Each time one step is taken forward, something occurs that causes things to take multiple steps back.
The organization fined Simmons his $360,000 game check for missing Thursday’s contest against the Detroit Pistons, the third consecutive game the team has won. The team originally stopped fining Simmons two weeks ago when he shared that he was seeking help to mentally prepare to return to the court. But, since then, things have gotten tenuous again.
Simmons is refusing to cooperate with the team physicians on his mental health and is not fulfilling some of his basketball-related obligations. Until he starts doing those things, the team will continue fining him.
His salary will once again be placed in escrow, which is where his fines were going originally. But, when he showed up and was cooperating, the money was released.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: There Is Still No End In Sight In Long Ben Simmons-76ers Saga
Things have gotten to this point as the Philadelphia 76ers believe they have been supportive of Simmons when he stated his needs. But, his inability to provide basic details of anything he has been doing in regards to his mental health or meet with any of the specialists the team has arranged for him.
Simmons has worked with his own group and the team’s physicians when it comes to his ailing back, but he has not shown the same willingness when it comes to his mental health work.
This is something that looks to have no end in sight, as Simmons’s return to the court is as uncertain as ever. He still is holding out for a trade, but until Daryl Morey receives an offer that meets their asking price, he will remain a 76er.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: There Is Still No End In Sight In Long Ben Simmons-76ers Saga
The team has been performing very well in his absence. Despite a litany of injuries, the team is 7-2, which is the best record in the conference. They have been without Tobias Harris, who tested positive for COVID-19, Danny Green and now Furkan Korkmaz in addition to Ben Simmons, but they have not missed a beat.
