2020-21-22 Sixers Season

[zambonir]

I just don't think it's anything Morey didn't already say on the radio and tell Rich Paul to his face in their last meeting. I'm sure Paul knows Morey isn't kidding, but he also won't be fooled by any leaks or bluffs, because he already knows what trade talks have happened and what offers are out there. Mostly just because he'll hear it from other GMs, but don't forget he's also Maxey's agent.

[bigegypt0417]

So you've believed this whole time the sixers would essentially punt an entire season?

I'm not really sure that Paul/Simmons really thought that Morey wouldn't blink...no matter what he's said. i am still not convinced he won't blink by the deadline.

[zambonir]

How are they punting the whole season? They're only 2 1/2 games out of first place (even if 5th or 6th place is about where I expected them to be all along w/o Ben), they're really good on the road and the Nets still have the Kyrie issue. That presents an opportunity, but it also means the status quo with minor moves might do, especiallly if any Ben deal subtracts another good player from the roster (including Tobias).

But yes, I believe once it became clear that Ben wasn't willing to play - whether for its own sake or to help his trade value - they were ready to wait until the off-season if necessary, and the coverage has also stressed that repeatedly (that Morey is both patient and stubborn). They need to make the best trade for the next four years, not just this one (which is also why they'd like to deal Tobias). And even if this season is a higher priority the trade still has to be good enough to signifcantly increase their chances at a better result than last year (or any of the last four).

The only other thing that works is if they are able to flip what they get for him now into something better in July.

[VoteForKalas]

IMO, this is all directed at Simmons and his camp...if he's serious about never playing here again, it's going to cost him a ton of money and a year of his prime

Simmons hasn't lost any money yet as far as I know. He is getting his full salary to sit at home. The 76ers are not fining him and the NBA has done nothing to discipline a player, who has multiple years left on his contract, for refusing to play or even practice. Both parties seem content to let Simmons flout league rules openly. I guess it is what happens when a sports league allows the players to have & wield more power than the owners.

If I was Simmons, this would not move the needle much. It is likely an empty threat or merely a leverage point in negotiations to get a better return for the 76ers. Simmons is in position to wait them out; he's getting all his money and avoiding injury & wear/tear of a largely meaningless regular season. As the deadline gets closer, the rubber will eventually meet the road

[zambonir]

He's definitely lost some money, but not much. I think the report that he stopped being fined once he and the team got on the same page about his mental health treatment is the correct one, or things wouldn't have gotten so quiet.

He can also afford to lose his entire salary. When this all started someone suggested Simmons' recent purchase of a $17.5 million mansion would put pressure on him but even if he paid cash for that he's still not without $, and if he has a mortgage that that is no more of a burden for someone who makes almost $30 million than the monthly payments on a $50,000 double-wide would be for someone who makes $100,000. He might not be able to go multiple years w/ no income, but one, easily.

And the Sixers can also afford to waste the money - and more than they can afford to take a deal they don't like.

Not sure what the league could do, or that it would accomplish anything. The team could file a grievance claiming his mental health issues are dubious. If he didn't have the mental health card to play he'd probably have an injury (and they could also file a grievance). But nothing would get settled this year and I don't see how you could change the rules to legislate either thing in advance. He got fined when he was refusing to cooperate with the team and show up for training/rehab/workouts. Now he's doing that.

From the Sixers perspective they probably also feel that fining him, and the accompanying noise/conflict around it, would only hurt their trade options more.

Another nuclear option would be to void his contract but then you get even less for him than you did for the other failed Process guys.

[zambonir]

Sources Explain Why James Harden Would Welcome New Scenery Next Season

[bigegypt0417]

Simmons is being fined for every game he misses...it seems.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/01/21/counter-report-76ers-still-fining-ben-simmons-for-missed-games-just-not-small-violations/

[zambonir]

Well, it's pretty much dueling anonymous sources, so then the question is which journalists do you believe, who are the sources, and what are the motivations for those sources wanting either thing out there publicly?

[bigegypt0417]

I'm just wondering could it be the definition of what it considered a fine?

Perhaps he's not getting paid for the games he doesn't play but what they've done is they won't fine him for other infractions? I'm not really sure...

Regardless of his issues, it seems clear he will not play for the sixers going forward.

[Docs]

I wonder if the Sixers have insurance on that contract - if they do then they aren't really taking a financial hit anyway if the mental health issue is covered and verified

[zambonir]

Insurance has become a lot less common in recent years. Higher premiums, lower coverage too. It would be fascinating if they did merely because an insurance adjustor would then question the medical side of it too.

But the money doesn't matter. Any one of the owners could eat a year of Ben's contract or Ben's entire contract if they wanted to release him. I know it doesn't work that way but the team budget could still take the hit too. It would just be like paying more luxury tax. The cap space and roster spot are the things that have value (in the short-term). And obviously they don't' want to lose this fight (or lose the trade).

And yeah, BE, I think that could be it. One guy reported he wasn't being fined punitively for things while the other guy reported he's not getting paid for missing games. But I still feel like the temperature would be higher if he wasn't getting a dime, especially when it comes to missing the entire season. Maybe Paul and Morey are just trying to keep that temperature low.

[xogfog]

Embiid will be an all star starter for the East, and he's not just a great player, he's also a great guy. This:

Embiid pays Pels rookie Alvarado's fine after spat

[bkox]

Sources: Kings balk at Simmons price, end chase

[phillychuck]

As I've said elsewhere, I wonder of Morey is saying"darn it" or "I'm glad I don't have to keep answering their stupid calls!"?

[zambonir]

It ain't over 'til it's over anyway, though if they start making other deals obviously they will have even less to offer.

For a normal trade of a normal elite max salary player, you might expect someone to come in at the last minute, because they decide they want the player that badly, and/or the player might help them win a championship this year. It's just hard to see where that's the case this season (also given cap-matching constraints). And if you're a team that wants Ben for the long-term you know there's a good chance you can still try and get him in July.

[xogfog]

Gutsy win by the Sixers tonight wit Embiid on a rest day. Maxey and Harris with big games.

[Dirk41]

Kate Scott had a tough job following up a legend, but she takes away from the game in a way that no one in town has for a very long time.

[zambonir]

There's a few other things in here too, though most of it not new.

The specter of this saga haunts Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers

I thought he didn't actually receive the October 1 payment. If did then all this math is wrong since he also got the same amount on July 1. He would actually end up owing the Sixers money in the end (which would also be part of the arbitration).

SIMMONS HAS LOST over $19 million in fines since the season began (each missed game costs him $360,000). He hasn't cleared a paycheck since the $8.25 million (25% of his $33 million salary) that was due to him Oct. 1. Every two weeks the team sends a notice with an explanation of all the fines he has accumulated for failing to render services, instead of a $1.375 million paycheck. By the end of the season, if he does not play for the Sixers or any other team, Simmons could lose another $12 million.

It is a staggering amount of money. Everyone involved assumes this issue will eventually be settled in arbitration. But those close to Simmons, who has earned upward of $60 million over his career, insist his decision to demand a trade and then not to play until he is traded has never been financially motivated. He wants a fresh start, away from a franchise he doesn't feel comfortable playing for anymore.

[bigegypt0417]

I am really enjoying watching this team play these days. I am not sure what will be out there but they may be able to add a buy-out player while letting Simmons wait until the draft to work something out...although at this point, if they are still playing this well, they may let it go even longer.

Simmons may just end up being an afterthought for the next year or so...the sad thing is if he had the right people in his ear, he would have come back and he'd be long gone by now.

Sixers really need to find another PG by the deadline...

[xogfog]

Goran Dragic might get traded, or possible even cut if they can't find a buyer. He might make sense. I would love if they could land Jalen Brunson,