Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors, was fined $50,000 by the league Wednesday for violating the NBA’s anti-tampering rules.
Lacob was fined after he questioned the Warriors' interest in Ben Simmons, a disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers player, during a recent interview with The San Francisco Chronicle.
Lacob said that the Chronicle was wrong in some ways. He makes a lot. Can he even finish the games? Lacob stated, "I don't know." He's extremely talented. Draymond is the problem. Draymond and him share a lot in common. They both shoot very little and do a lot if the playmaking. This is one problem. The salary structure is another.
Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Simmons, 25, plans to never play in another game for the team. The Warriors are still being discussed as potential landing spots for Simmons, according to sources. However, Lacob's comments will likely slow down the chatter within league circles about Simmons' future.
Doc Rivers, 76ers coach, hopes to change the mind of Simmons.
Rivers stated, "Well, we hope that we can change this thought," on ESPN's Keyshawn, JWill, and Max Wednesday morning. "That's part our job."
