NBA
Report: Ben Simmons to file grievance against 76ers soon
Ben Simmons had a bitter breakup with the Philadelphia 76ers in February, and he apparently still has a score to settle with his former team.
Ben Simmons had a bitter breakup with the Philadelphia 76ers in February after being at an impasse with them for months. The story of their acrimonious relationship isn’t over just yet, as the All-Star point guard is set to file a complaint against his former team soon, according to a report by Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice, a Philadelphia local news website.
“League sources anticipating that Simmons and his representation will file a formal grievance against the Sixers at some point in the coming days,” per Neubeck.
More on the Simmons-Sixers saga:
The steep price Simmons has paid
At the heart of the issue is the money that Simmons has lost since the NBA season began. Estimates have it that the 76ers have fined him more than $19 million. The 25-year-old had refused to play for the team and demanded that he be traded, as he was no longer comfortable playing for the franchise.
After he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, it was expected that he would not take the loss of income sitting down.
“There have been many around the Sixers’ organization who have chosen to go radio silent on all things Simmons, aware that arbitration was a likely outcome for this process. And anyone with a rudimentary understanding of finances also probably could have seen this coming- nobody likes to throw away $20 million,” Neubeck reports.
The motives behind Simmons' Philadelphia appearance
Simmons is set to face his former team on Thursday, but not on the court. He will be sitting it out on the Brooklyn Nets bench as he is still not fit to play. There are expectations that the Philadelphia fans will boo the Australian, and it is believed that such a negative reaction will serve his case; that is, it would help prove that he was unable to play in Philadelphia in such a hostile environment as it would affect his mental health.
“The suggestion has been floated in league circles that Simmons showing up for Thursday’s game is merely setting the stage for Simmons and Clutch Sports’ argument when the grievance is filed.”
Thursday night’s game will eventually show if Simmons will indeed be welcomed with jeers and boos from Philadelphia fans, and if the former Rookie of the Year will utilize such a reception in his attempts to recoup the money that he has lost.