NBA players are often fined thousands of dollars for technical fouls, slipping up during interviews and post-game press conferences, and sundry other offenses. Many players in the league are notoriously known for getting fined regularly. Some names like Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks are well-known examples. However, Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons? total amount of fines will make every other player’s amount look like petty change.
Green’s fine due to?his altercation with teammate Jordan Poole pushed his total to over $1 million in fines paid. With big amounts of money coming from their NBA contracts, players end up paying heft amounts in fines as well. However, Ben Simmons? total of fines paid in the NBA may have set a new record.
Ben Simmons racks up an unbelievable amount of money in fines
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During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Ben Simmons faced a lot of criticism while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Specifically, the deciding game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
After facing heavy criticism from fans, analysts, and even his teammates, Simmons decided to demand a trade from the 76ers. One thing that came back to haunt him was his decision to not play for the team till he got traded.
As it turns out, Ben Simmons got fined $360,000 for every game that he did not compete for the Philadelphia 76ers. He ended up missing a total of 54 games for the Philadelphia side, which racked up his total to $19 million in fines for ?failing to render services?. Simmons’ unbelievable amount dwarfed the entire Eastern Conference in terms of fines received.
Though, Simmons seemed unaffected given that his total contract was $177.7 million for five years with Philadelphia. Yet, his image in the NBA and especially in the city of Philadelphia was tarnished beyond repair.
Eventually, the Sixers parted ways with Simmons by trading him to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden.
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Simmons could’ve lost $31 million in total
The fine levied on Ben Simmons racked up to a total of $19 million by the time he was traded. Although, Simmons could?ve lost another $12 million, adding the total of fines to be paid to $31 million.
That was if he did not play for the Philadelphia 76ers or any other team in the league. But things fell through as the Sixers finalized a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to bring in James Harden. The Nets also got Seth Curry and Andre Drummond, along with Ben Simmons.
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Watch This Story – 5 times Draymond Green resorted to dirty fouls that occasionally got him ejected
Simmons has been ruled out for the remainder of this season by the Brooklyn Nets due to back issues. Hopefully, he returns soon and turns his game around in the league.