Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob was fined $ 50,000 for violating the NBA’s anti-tampering rule, the league announced Wednesday.
Lacob’s fine came after he cast doubt during a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle that the Warriors would be interested in acquiring Ben Simmons, the disgruntled star of the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Somehow it doesn’t really fit in with what we’re doing,” Lacob told the Chronicle. Earn a lot of money. And can you finish the games? I don’t know, ”Lacob said. “He is very talented. The problem is: we have Draymond. He and Draymond are very similar in that neither of them actually shoot and they do a lot of playmaking. That is a problem. The salary structure is another ”.
The 25-year-old Simmons intends never to play for the 76ers again, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. As speculation about Simmons’s future continues, the Warriors continue to appear as a possible landing site, but Lacob’s comments are likely to slow down that talk in league circles.
76ers coach Doc Rivers hopes to change Simmons’ mind.
“Well, I hope we can change that thinking,” Rivers said on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill and Max Wednesday morning. “That is part of our job.” (Espndeportes.com)