NBA
GS Warriors owner fined by NBA for comments on Ben Simmons
Joe Lacob was fined $50,000 on Wednesday for comments on Ben Simmons which were deemed "tampering."
The Ben Simmons saga continues to twist and turn.
Golden State Warriors owner fined by the NBA
Joe Lacob, the owner of the Golden State Warriors was fined $50,000 on Wednesday, for violating the NBA's anti-tampering rule. The official league announcement came after Lacob seemed to directly talk down the idea of a move for Ben Simmons, in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. Simmons who recently declare that he has no intentions of playing for the 76ers again, has become the center of intense speculation as the question of "where will he go?", is yet to be answered.
What did Joe Lacob say?
When speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Lacob stated, "In some ways, it doesn't really fit what we're doing," Lacob told the Chronicle. "He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don't know," Lacob said. "He's very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond. Draymond and him are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots and they do a lot of the playmaking. That's one issue.The salary structure is another."
Did Lacob do the 76ers a favor?
Though there had been constant murmuring about the Warriors as a possible destination for Simmons, Lacob's remarks will undoubtedly put them to bed - hence the fine. Yet it may just work in favor of the 76ers who seemingly want to keep the Australian. According to Philadelphia's head coach Doc Rivers that's exactly what they intend to do.
"Well, I hope we can change that thought," Rivers said to ESPN on Wednesday. "That's part of our job."