Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook are threatening to sit out next season unless they get paid above the league minimum. I really don’t think Ben Simmons has room to negotiate salary. He’s honestly lucky to still be in the league. As far as Westbrook is concerned, this move will only hurt his legacy and he’s so rich already it really shouldn’t matter.
I also doubt that Ben deserves that if he's asking and even threatening for his salary to increase above minimum. He's always been injured and did wasted seasons.
As for Russ, I think that he deserves it. The last contract that he's got with the Denver Nuggets, I think it's around $1M-$3M and so, he's only asking rightly.
But if ever he won't be given that courtesy as a veteran. I agree that he might end up retiring in no time.