76ers fine Ben Simmons for failing to travel on a 6-game road trip / News - Basketnews.com

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The Philadelphia 76ers (8-6) are fining their star player Ben Simmons for failing to travel to their 6-game road trip.

Ben Simmons

Team:Philadelphia 76ersPosition:SF, PFAge:25Height:208 cmWeight:104 kgBirth place:AustraliaProfileNewsStatistics

According to Shams Charania from The Athletic, Simmons believes the team continues to try to force him back on the court despite his mental health concerns and is disregarding his mental health issues.

The team’s positioning has been that until there’s been information otherwise from their mental health specialist or Ben Simmons, he should be expected to get ready for a return to the court.

Simmons agent Rich Paul believes that this is no longer about trade but Simmons receiving the help off the court that he needs.

After telling the team over the summer that he wouldn’t report to training camp, Simmons arrived in Philadelphia on October 11th, two weeks into camp. The 76ers claim that October 22nd was the first time Simmons informed them of any mental health concerns.

According to the team, they made available resources and provided support the moment they received his message. Paul, however, said the 76ers were informed in the offseason that Simmons was not mentally ready to play in Philadelphia.

The 76ers stopped fining Simmons on October 22nd, but after two weeks went by without further information from Simmons about his process and clarity on his return-to-play status, the franchise reinstated fines and withholding payments on November 5th.

Previous reports indicate that Boston Celtics might be interested in a trade for the 25-year-old Australian star.

Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his five-year contract. He has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 275 games since Philadelphia drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016.

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