With everyone in Philadelphia riding high off the Eagles recent playoff berth and more importantly the 76ers latest seven-game win streak, it looks like Daryl Morey decided to try and pull a fast one on the Sixers’ fanbase.

While it does annoy me every single time I have to bring the topic of Ben Simmons not playing basketball for the 76ers, it is important to update the masses on the situation. In case you missed it yesterday with the National Championship game and the 76ers beating the Rockets, the fining of Ben Simmons has been put on pause, again.

Now before we get into the 76ers reasoning for the halt in fines on Ben Simmons, lets provide some much needed context to anyone who is still somehow clueless to the situation.

Ben Simmons has yet to suit up for a Sixers game, informing the team back before the season kicked off that he isn’t mentally ready to get back onto the court. Daryl Morey and the front office wanted to assist Simmons in getting the help he needs and asked him to see a mental health specialist while also participating in team workouts.

That’s where the trouble started.

Ben Simmons began catching fines when he refused to travel with the team and participate in meetings asked of him. On top of that, he refused to report any progress with a mental health expert, as the 76ers allowed him to choose the specialist himself, albeit he brought progress reports to the team so the Sixers wouldn’t be in the dark.

While Ben Simmons was busy putting shots up in the St. Joe’s gym, his fine total began to steadily rise and rise.

When it comes down to numbers, Ben Simmons has well passed the $10-million mark in fines.

Since October 4th, 2021 Simmons has been fined $11,757,373 dollars according to Spotrac. Those numbers get a little hazy once you realize it includes a $360k fine for missing the 76ers win in Houston last night, despite Shams reporting the 76ers have stopped fining Simmons.

While it is an interesting point of contention, it is much more plausible that Spotrac is simply tracking the sheer numbers while Shams has an obviously much better insider view on the situation.

In a recent report by Shams Charania, the 76ers have stopped fining Ben Simmons once again. Now it seems that Simmons has finally began to meet all the obligations met my the team during his time away from the court.

That includes participating in training sessions, team meetings, and time with mental health specialists. This all comes with Daryl Morey and the 76ers organization still carrying optimism that Ben will return to the team.

Where things get interesting for me revolves around the reports of the 76ers utilizing an escrow account for the fines on Ben Simmons. Will Simmons be allowed to access any further fines for missing games now that he is meeting the requirements set by the team prior to the season?

Obviously I am not in the 76ers front office to understand the situation, but there are certainly a lot of points of contention with this latest pause in fines.

Regardless, with the NBA Trade Deadline under a month away, the rumors are heating back up revolving Ben Simmons.

There are reports that the Kings are now willing to trade all pieces including De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, a team heavily linked to trading for Simmons.

Then there’s the unlikely franchise in the Hawks who are rumored to also be interested in a Simmons deal involving John Collins.

The true cherry on top comes with the 76ers, who are currently rumored to be attempting to deal both Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons.

Simply put, the stoves are hot and will be hot until February 10th.

Mandatory Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant