Ben Simmons lost $17 million in fines, more than any other NBA player in league history

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 31, 2025, 16:42 IST

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Ben Simmons racked up a record $17 million in fines during the 2021–22 NBA season after refusing to play for the Philadelphia 76ers and demanding a trade. This led to financial penalties surpassing those of other prominent NBA players. A settlement of $20 million was reached, but the incident has impacted his career and public perception.

Ben Simmons lost $17 million in fines, more than any other NBA player in league history

(Image Source - Getty Images)

What led an NBA player to rack up more fines than anyone in history? For Ben Simmons, it wasn’t about getting into fights or racking up technicals — it was a much larger issue. His decision to sit out games and demand a trade sparked a domino effect that cost him a fortune. The fines were only the start of his financial troubles.

How Ben Simmons accumulated $17 million in fines

Simmons' financial penalties are largely a result of the 2021–22 NBA season. After a disappointing exit in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, where the 76ers lost in Game 7, he faced significant backlash. Criticism from fans and the organization, including head coach Doc Rivers questioning his status as a championship-caliber point guard, created a rift.

Consequently, Simmons requested a trade and decided not to show up for training camp or preseason games. The 76ers, citing a breach of contract, began to withhold his salary, which led to fines totaling nearly $19 million.

With $17 million in fines, Simmons has set a record that exceeds those of other prominent NBA players. For comparison, Serge Ibaka has been fined about $980,000 over his 14 seasons, while Draymond Green's fines total around $994,000 during his time with the Golden State Warriors. Even Kyrie Irving has faced fines totaling approximately $15.6 million.

In August 2022, Simmons took action by filing a grievance to get back his withheld salary, leading to a settlement with the 76ers for $20 million. Although this issue was resolved, it has left a lasting impact on his career. After his trade to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022, Simmons has been dealing with injuries and struggles on the court. This was highlighted during a game against his previous team when he missed a layup, which only intensified the chatter about his decline from a three-time All-Star to his current situation at the age of 28.
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While financial penalties are intended to enforce discipline, the broader implications on a player's career trajectory and public perception are profound. As Simmons continues his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, the basketball community watches closely, hopeful for a resurgence but mindful of the challenges that lie ahead.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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