Top 5 players with most fines in NBA history
The NBA, like every other organization, is bound by rules and regulations. Some players, coaches and teams have broken those rules and have been made to pay fines.
In an episode of "All the Smoke Podcast," former NBA player Matt Barnes was asked to list the top five most-fined players in the league. Although he got some correct, he couldn't give a comprehensive list.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is responsible for issuing fines and suspensions. While there are no official rules that decide what specific actions are deemed punishable, the league's laws grant the commissioner the prerogative to punish players who have behaved inappropriately.
So, who has incurred the most money from fines in the NBA? Below are the top five players.
Top 5 players with the most fines in NBA history
#5. Chris Paul
San Antonio Spurs veteran Chris Paul is widely known in the league for his ability to assist teammates. He recently climbed to second on the league's all-time assists leaderboard.
However, the 12-time All-Star now finds himself on an unwanted list. Throughout his career, he has earned $816,781 in fines in his 20 years playing in the NBA for seven teams.
His most notable fine include $25,000 in 2015 for publicly criticizing referee Lauren Holtkamp from the game between the LA Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Also, he was fined $35,000 for his role in confronting and making contact with a game official during a playoff game between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. His contact was deemed aggressive and reckless.
#4. Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka occupies the fourth spot on this unwanted list. The veteran power forward, who won one NBA championship in 2019 as a key member of the Toronto Raptors, accumulated fines throughout his NBA career.
In his 14 seasons as an NBA player, he accrued a total of $980,000 in fines - over $100,000 more than Chris Paul in fifth place.
Some of his notable fouls include $25,000 in 2013 for his role in an altercation with Andrew Bogut. This took place during a game between the OKC Thunder and the Warriors.
Also, he got another $25,000 for punching Marcin Gortat in 2013. He punched Gortat in the chest in a game between the Thunder and Washington Wizards.
#3. Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green has run foul of the league rules in recent seasons. Last season was one of the most remembered for stamping on the Phoenix Suns' Jusuf Nurkic's chest and for placing the Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert in a chokehold.
Throughout his 13 seasons with the Warriors, he has accumulated $994,000 in fines.
Some of his notable fines include $50,000 for an altercation with teammate Kevin Durant in 2018. This occurred during a game between the Warriors and LA Clippers.
Also, back in 2015, he was fined $25,000 for a flagrant foul on LeBron James. This occurred during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers.
#2. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is known for his excellent ball-handling as well as his troubles off-court. He has been a polarizing figure for both his fans and opposition fans.
Uncle Drew has often let his free spirit get the best of him. Throughout his 14-year career in the league, he has been fined a total amount of $15,631,000.
The one-time NBA champion was fined $50,000 for promoting an anti-Semitic book and movie in 2022. He was previously fined $25,000 in 2020 for refusing to perform his media duties during the preseason.
#1. Ben Simmons
Leading the list is Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. While he can add injuries to the reason he has not featured so much in the league, his run-in with the league and team rules have played a part.
In his seven years in the league, he has been fined over $19,000,000. A chunk of that money has been from his team fining him for disciplinary issues.
In 2021, he was fined $1.96 million for missing preseason games when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. Additionally, he had $19 million from his salary deducted by the 76ers for missing games as well as failing to follow team requirements.