Philadelphia 76ers declare war on Ben Simmons with $11.4m blow

Ben Simmons was supposed to become $11.4m richer today but instead his bank account remained untouched as the 76ers play hardball.

Ben Simmons is still holding out. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

No play, no pay.

That’s the message to Ben Simmons after Philadelphia withheld the $AUD11.4 million payment he was due to receive today as the stand-off between the franchise and its marquee man remains at an impasse.

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Simmons wants a trade away from Philly and is refusing to suit up for the team, willing to be fined and even suspended for sitting out pre-season camp.

The Aussie NBA star has already received the first 25 per cent of his contract worth this season but the Sixers are refusing to give him the second 25 per cent — or $11.4 million — because of his boycott.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania says the move won’t come as a surprise to Simmons because he “understood the ramifications of his holdout” while according to ESPN, the money being held from Simmons will be kept in an escrow account and any fines he accrues from here for his non-compliance will be deducted from that sum.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told the network the Sixers’ move was a “declaration of war”.

“It is definitely a throwing down of the gauntlet,” he said.

“And if this wasn’t already a war, this is a declaration of war that ... pretty much closes the door tight on Ben Simmons having any interest in bridging this gap and reporting (for duty).”

The latest development in Simmons’ trade saga comes after 76ers star Joel Embiid dropped some truth bombs on the 25-year-old. The duo were supposed to be the central figures of a championship-winning roster but Embiid said after all the Sixers have done to accommodate Simmons over the years — including signing players like Al Horford and getting rid of Jimmy Butler — it’s no longer on them to bow to the Australian’s wishes.

“I feel like over the years, our team has been built around (Simmons),” Embiid said this week. “Our teams have always been built around his needs.

“Even going back to the reason we signed Al, we got rid of Jimmy, which I still think was a mistake, just to make sure he (Simmons) needed the ball in his hands and that’s the decision they made.

Simmons doesn’t want to play with Embiid anymore. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images North America / AFP)

“The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives.

“Some guys rely on the team being successful to stay in the league and make money somehow. Because if you’re on a winning team, you’re always going to have a spot in the league, just because you’re on a winning team and you contributed.

“We are a better team with him, there’s no question about it. We still hope he changes his mind, but I kind of owe it to these guys to worry about what we have here.”

Embiid’s comments came after a report by Sam Amick of The Athletic that Simmons no longer wants to play alongside the All-Star centre because he feels their on-court styles are not compatible.

NBA pundits have come down hard on Simmons for trying to get out of his contract with the 76ers because of the heavy criticism he copped for his poor shooting in their playoffs loss to Atlanta last season. Many, including basketball royalty Shaquille O’Neal, believe instead of sulking, Simmons should work on adding the one tool to his game that would make him a superstar — a jump shot.

He’s also been labelled “selfish” by some in the US media.

Multiple franchises have been linked with interest in Simmons but so far the 76ers haven’t been able to agree on a suitable trade package to release him. It’s left the two parties in a tense standoff — Simmons is unwilling to play ball and Philly isn’t prepared to let him go without being adequately compensated with a big-name star.

The Aussie wants a fresh start. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP