The Philadelphia 76ers will no longer issue fines to Ben Simmons for his continued absence from practice and team games. As reported by journalist Marc Stein, the player is now unavailable for “personal reasons.”
Previously, the Pennsylvania franchise had penalized the player $ 1.4 million for missing all four preseason games, as well as numerous training sessions and team activities. However, the All-Star has told the 76ers “not being mentally prepared” to play after a long period of absence after transferring to the board his desire to be traded.
The current NBA collective bargaining agreement protects the salary of players whose non-participation in meetings, training sessions and group meetings “has been caused by mental disability”, as shared by the journalist from ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski.
For his part, general manager of the 76ers, Daryl Morey, will maintain his patient stance in the trade negotiations surrounding Simmons in the hope of achieving “a differential trade” that is in his best interest. Thus, the executive announced that the situation could continue blocked up for a time.
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