The Philadelphia 76ers have taken advantage of an opportunity to further force Ben Simmons' hand. With over $8 million hanging in the balance, let's see how the league's most disgruntled star reacts to the Sixers.
A league source told Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer on Friday that October 1 marks the date Philadelphia is scheduled to pay Simmons the “second 25 percent” of his salary for 2021-22, about $8.25 million. The Sixers, however, have reportedly decided against sending Simmons what he's owed, maintaining the three-time All-Star's ongoing holdout leaves him in breach of contract.
ESPN confirmed that account, detailing Philly's plans to fine Simmons for not showing up.
Reporting with @WindhorstESPN and @BobbyMarks42: Sources confirm the 76ers have not paid Ben Simmons the $8.2 million he was owed today. The money has been put in an escrow account, & any fines accrued by him for not showing up will be deducted from that amount moving forward.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 1, 2021
As a result, there have been murmurs from those plugged into the drama suggesting Simmons could soon report to Philadelphia, refusing to play under the guise of existing injury while coercing the Sixers to pay him, according to Bleacher Report.
In turn, there have been growing whispers this week among NBA sources with knowledge of the situation that Simmons could respond by actually reporting to Philadelphia in the coming days, but maintaining that he is injured and unable to compete. Simmons has had noted knee and back injuries in the previous two seasons.
The relationship between Simmons and Philadelphia has been irreparably damaged. Simmons has known as much for months, obviously, and Joel Embiid's pointed recent remarks in response to his teammate's alleged preference to play without him going forward only further cemented that reality.
Maybe Simmons reports to camp in the coming days, loathe to miss out on a massive scheduled payday. Even so, his presence would ultimately do nothing to repair the fractures of a partnership that's been doomed since Ben Simmons infamously passed up a wide-open dunk in the Sixers' season-ending loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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