Ben Simmons stands to lose huge sum of money if he sits out full season

Not only is Ben Simmons' standoff with the 76ers causing constant drama, but it's also costing a boatload of money.

As ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported on Tuesday, Simmons stands to lose upwards of $32 million if he isn't traded to another team and sits out the rest of the season. He has already accrued close to $20 million in fines for not playing.

"Simmons has lost over $19 million in fines since the season began (each missed game costs him $360,000)," Shelburne wrote. "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."

The large sum of money only adds to the insane circus that has enveloped Simmons and the Sixers since he last played in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Simmons has asked to be traded and cited mental health issues as a reason for not playing with the team, just to summarize. 

Things have only gotten more bizarre since, as Shelburne reports Simmons has recently been spotted working out at the 76ers training facility.

"Everything he has done has been apart from the Sixers. But now, just under two weeks before the February 10 trade deadline, Ben Simmons is working out at the facility again.," Shelburne said.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's efforts to ship Simmons elsewhere remain at a standstill, as teams across the league remain opposed to offering the Sixers what they want in exchange for the disgruntled All-Star. Simmons is only in the second season of a five-year, $170 million deal, which would be hard enough to move. Additionally, teams don't want to give up their own All-Stars and draft picks for a high-priced player who could also bring his baggage from Philly along with him.

With the Sixers refusing to budge on the matter, the likelihood of Simmons playing for another team this season looks remote.

And the chances of him losing even more money look more likely by the day.