How much money has the NBA accumulated from technical fouls this season? Taking a closer look at the math behind the fines
In an effort to cut down on technical fouls, the NBA has added harsh penalties to them. Along with paying fines, players can also be suspended if they rack up enough over the course of the year.
The NBA's rule is that after a player reaches 16 technical fouls, they are forced to serve a one-game suspension. From there, they will be suspended one game for every two technical fouls picked up after they break that threshold.
As far as the fines go, how much a player has to pay depends on how many techs they've been given that year. It starts out at $2,000 for the first five, and then jumps up $3,000 each for numbers six through 10.
After 10 technical fouls, a player will be handed a $4,000 fine moving forward. Then, their 16th technical calls for a $5,000 fine and suspension. To make matters worse, players do not receive their game checks during suspensions.
How much has the NBA made from technical foul fines this year?
Just looking at the top of the leaderboard in technical fouls, the NBA has already brought in a substantial amount of money. There are currently 15 players with at least 10 technicals this season.
As expected, the players on this list are guys who are constantly seen talking with refs or viewed as "dirty players." The overall leader in technical fouls right now is Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks with 16. Not far behind him is Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic at 15. If he receives another, he'll be forced to be sidelined for one game.
Just from those two alone, the league has made close to $100,000 in fines. Other names near the top of the list include Draymond Green (15), Trae Young (13) and Anthony Edwards (13).
After only adding up the final totals of the top five in technical fouls this season, the total comes out to $214,000. There are currently seven players with 10 technicals, increasing that total to $389,000.
Accounting for all players in the league, it's fair to assume the league has already made close to one million dollars in fines. What makes that number astonishing is that there is still a month to go in the regular season. There is no telling how much higher the final number will go before the start of the playoffs.
Given the massive salaries players make now, some might be willing to take a fine to have the last word with a ref on a bad night.