Regardless if you think Ben Simmons truly has mental health issues or was just using that as an excuse not to play, the facts are as soon as he stated that as a reason, it meant he was going to use it to try to get the money back the Sixers were fining him for.
The Sixers, behind closed doors, believed that Simmons could play and was just making excuses.
They tried to come to a compromise but couldn’t, so now a battle is set up to happen for over $20 million.
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has filed a grievance to challenge the nearly $20 million of salary withheld to him by the Philadelphia 76ers this season, setting up a potentially significant showdown, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
The grievance — which will now go to an arbitration process — could have larger league implications amid future issues of mental health matters and NBA contracts.
Philadelphia has repeatedly insisted that Simmons was in breach of his contract under the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and National Basketball Players Association and had the right to recoup the money advanced to him before the season. The NBA and NBPA have been at odds on this issue and now arbitration could set a precedent on how future matters of mental health and contracts might be handled.
The filing was made with the team, NBA and NBPA late this week, sources said.
The 76ers have insisted that Simmons breached his player contract upon failing to show up for the start of training camp and refusing to play during the preseason and regular season. Simmons arrived in Philadelphia near the end of the preseason but cited his mental health for the reason that his participation in team activities was so limited.
If Simmons wins, don’t be surprised if many disgruntled stars use mental health to get out of playing regardless of whether they have issues or not.
Flip the page for a video breakdown of who will have the advantage in arbitration and some Maya Jama thirst traps.