Ben Simmons and the 76ers can finally leave their relationship in the past.
The two sides reached an agreement on Simmons’ grievance to recoup part of his salary withheld from his last season, according to ESPN. As a result of his failure to play — the 26-year-old notably sat out due to mental health issues — the 76ers reportedly withheld nearly $ 20 million of his $ 33 million salary.
The two sides developed vitriol, as the 76ers maintained Simmons was in breach of his contract by failing to appear at training camp and refusing to play in games. Simmons, and more outspokenly his agent Rich Paul, argued that Simmons ‘mental health was what was preventing him from playing, and that the 76ers’ actions towards him only furthered his struggles and made it more difficult for him to take the court.
“This is no longer about a trade,” Paul told The Athletic last November. “This is about finding a place where we can help I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor.”
Both sides agreed to a confidentiality agreement on the exact financial settlement, according to ESPN’s report.
The 76ers finally traded Simmons to the Nets in a blockbuster, but he’s yet to play in Brooklyn due to a lingering back problem.
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