Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving have collectively lost more than $13 million to fines this season, and the two star players haven't played a single game for their respective teams this season. Simmons experienced the toughest moment of his career in the playoffs last season, and his playing style came under heavy fan attack after the 76ers were eliminated by the Hawks, which also made Simmons feel that he did not have enough support from the team and decided to leave.
While the 76ers were trying to trade Simmons throughout the offseason, their asking price was simply too high, especially for a player like Simmons who had a clear shortcoming on the offensive end, and no team was willing to give up a significant portion of Simmons. So the 76ers had to count on Simmons to return to the team and use his performance on the court to enhance his trade value, but the All-Star was not ready to play for the 76ers anymore, and according to Simmons himself, despite being treated by the team doctor, his mental injuries had not yet been recovered and he could not play for the team.
Irving was unable to play at home in New York because he violated the local epidemic prevention regulations in the United States and refused to be vaccinated against the new crown, although Irving still had the opportunity to play away for the Nets, but the Nets were not interested in Irving's part-time way of playing for the team.
Since both players were unable to play because of their own personal decisions, every game they have missed so far will be fined. Simmons has reportedly been fined a total of $7,433,713 for missing 16 regular season games and four preseason games, while Irving has been fined $5,717,715 for missing 13 regular season games and two preseason games.
Simmons's way out should only be a trade, after he has been rumored with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, and Irving's trade prospects are relatively bleak, and the outside world speculates that if he does not choose to retire, he may return to the Nets. Irving also recently released a video of him wearing basketball shoes, as well as reports that he and Kevin Durant have had more communication on basketball topics, and that Irving has expressed his interest in getting plant-based vaccines, all of which somewhat confirm his claim that he will return to the court.