The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are starring in an unprecedented situation.
This is the first time in NBA history that a team would much rather hold on to a disgruntled player, not pay him a single dime, and wait for a trade suitor to appear rather than actively trying to trade him.
The Sixers want to set a standard against players trying to force their way out of a contract, a worrisome precedent in the league over the past couple of years.
And, apparently, the Sixers' decision to hold out his paychecks has taken a big toll on his finances, as Sixers insider Howard Eskin reported that he's 'cash flow broke' right now:
“I was told by somebody very reliable he may be tapped out, broke,” Eskin said on 95.7 The Game, per The Big Lead. “Cash flow broke. Because he’s losing so much money, but he spent so much money. 17.5 million dollar home, remember he has to pay taxes too. 17.5 million dollar home. He’s got two homes in the Philadelphia area, probably worth eight or nine million."
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Simmons made $30,559,200 last year alone and has earned more than $50 million during his brief career in the league.
Nonetheless, the young star continues to spend big bucks and that's starting to become a serious issue for him:
"He buys a new car every month, four or five hundred thousand. He just spends money like it’s nothing because he thinks it never ends. And the person that told me, it’s very reliable that he has got serious cash flow issues," Eskin added.
Simmons' agent Rich Paul called out the Sixers for 'putting finances over mental health' and trying to force him to play through his struggles:
“I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben,” Paul told The Athletic. “Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it? In this case, we have to get Ben help and not put finances above mental health,"
Now, Simmons has a choice to make.
He can either continue sitting out and pursuing mental health advice as he claims to be doing, or he can suit up and start getting his checks again.
The Sixers have no rush to trade him with Tyrese Maxey breaking out as an efficient role player and it's not likely that any other team will meet their steep asking price for him.
So, it's either he plays or he'll have to move somewhere cheaper, it seems.
