76ers resume fining Ben Simmons for missing games

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Philadelphia 76ers stopped fining All-Star guard Ben Simmons for missing games, practices, workouts and meetings on Oct. 22 after he informed the team he wasn't "mentally ready" to play. However, the organization reportedly was also displeased Simmons hadn't met with team doctors to discuss his mental status. 

There remains no timetable for Simmons' potential return, and it appears the 76ers have grown tired of his latest actions following his offseason trade request and temporary hiatus from the club ahead of the campaign. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Sixers fined Simmons $360,000 for missing Thursday's win over the Detroit Pistons and intend to continue fining him, moving forward, for every game he's away "until he cooperates with team physicians on his mental health and fulfills other basketball-related obligations." 

As the 76ers did when they owed Simmons $8.25 million at the beginning of October, they will place any of his docked salary into an escrow account.

Simmons has reportedly sought outside mental health aid through the National Basketball Players Association, but Wojnarowski wrote sources say: 

"Sixers officials believe that they have been supportive of Simmons' stated need for mental health assistance and that they are left no choice but for these actions in response to the three-time All-Star's refusal to provide basic details of his course of mental health meetings, evaluation or treatments or to accept consultation with any specialists arranged by the team." 

According to Wojnarowski, Simmons is also on track to be fined for missing strength training, film study and game-day shootarounds. He will also be penalized for not participating, as requested, in team practice sessions. 

Simmons was fined approximately $2 million by the 76ers before Oct. 22, and team president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said before that date this standoff could last through the remaining four years on the 25-year-old's contract. Morey and company reportedly aren't willing to accept anything lower than a top-tier All-Star in a trade for Simmons, so this stalemate seems destined to continue until further notice.