The Philadelphia 76ers decided to play hardball with their disgruntled star guard Ben Simmons. According to multiple reports, the 76ers have not paid the $8.25 million portion of the salary that Simmons was due to receive on Friday.
The 76ers opted to withhold Simmons’ salary after the All-Star failed to show up for the team’s training camp. The 25-year-old star is currently holding out in attempts to force a trade out of Philadelphia.
ESPN reports, based on sources close to the organization, that the 76ers have put the $8.25 million in an escrow. They will use the money to deduct any fine that Simmons might receive during his holdout. In case the player shows up at any point of the season, he will receive the money that is left in escrow.
However, everything is pointing out that Simmons has no intention to return. He is reportedly set on staying put until he gets traded and doesn’t want to play a single game for the 76ers anymore.
Philly, on the other hand, still hopes that they can turn around the situation and convince the player to re-join the team. At least, that is what president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told reporters in recent interviews.
“I think there’s a lot of hope,” Morey said when asked about Simmons’ return.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been talking with teams about Ben Simmons for the better part of the offseason but still haven’t found a trade they like. The 76ers reportedly want to get a star player that would help them win now, but those kinds of deals are not out there at the moment.
