The Ben Simmons soap opera in Philadelphia continues to get worse.
After he was a no-show at media day and skipped the start of training camp this week, the Sixers are not paying their star point guard the $8.25 million he was owed Friday, Oct. 1, according to Bleacher Report.
Simmons, who is awaiting a trade out of Philadelphia, has already received the first 25 percent of his pay for this season. The team’s reported withholding on Friday was Simmons’ second payment this season.
The Sixers reportedly view Simmons’ absence as a breach of contract. He currently has four years remaining on the five-year $170 million max deal he signed in 2019.
According to ESPN, the $8.25 million has been put in an escrow account and any fines incurred by Simmons will be deducted from there.
In the days leading up to the new report, Philadelphia made pleas to Simmons in the media that they had hope for a reconciliation and wanted him back with the team.
Simmons’ standoff with the Sixers became public in June, when he requested a trade, following a historically poor performance in the playoffs.
Ben Simmons is seemingly well aware of the financial repercussions of his 76ers holdout. Getty ImagesIn August, the All-Star guard reportedly cut off communication with the team, and deferred any exchanges to his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
The Sixers opened trade talks for Simmons in July. Though, Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations, hasn’t budged from his high asking price — which has seemingly discouraged teams from pursuing Simmons.
“We are in training camp with our full roster. Only Philly is concerned about a trade right now,” said one assistant general manager of a team that was previously in negotiations with the Sixers this offseason, according to Bleacher Report.
Philadelphia’s first preseason game is in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 4, and some “league circles” believe Simmons could return to the team before then.
The league and players association have not jointly supported Simmons’ payment withholding Friday, A report from The Athletic on Friday added that Simmons is fully aware of the repercussions of his holdout.
Earlier this week, The Athletic reported Simmons has no desire to fill a role in Philadelphia, where the team is more focused on building around Joel Embiid than him.
Simmons has yet to speak out about his broken relationship with the Sixers.
It remains to be seen if he will play this season.
