Ben Simmons’ free agency has taken another turn, with conflicting reports about the New York Knicks’ level of pursuit.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks did engage in dialogue with the former All-Star during the offseason but never submitted a formal contract offer. League sources told Begley that while New York showed interest, they kept their options open for their final roster spot.
This update comes after Marc Stein reported on his Substack that the Knicks and Boston Celtics were the two teams that expressed the most serious interest in Simmons this summer. Stein noted that New York had even extended a one-year minimum deal, which Simmons declined. Begley’s latest reporting, however, refutes the claim of an official offer.
The Knicks have been evaluating multiple players for their last roster slot. Landry Shamet is on their radar as a floor-spacing guard, while Malcolm Brogdon has also been discussed as a potential addition.
Simmons, 29, remains without a team as training camp approaches. He split last season between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 50 appearances.
His playoff role with the Clippers was minimal, as he logged just eight minutes per game in their brief postseason run.
Once seen as a cornerstone talent, Simmons entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2018, earned three consecutive All-Star selections, and twice made the All-Defensive First Team.
However, persistent injuries and offensive limitations have sharply reduced his value. He now faces an uncertain future as he weighs whether to continue playing.
Adding to the uncertainty, Simmons’ longtime agent Bernie Lee officially stepped away from representing him this summer, notifying the NBPA of the change.
Despite his decline, some organizations remain intrigued by his size, defensive versatility, and ability to distribute. Whether that interest turns into a contract before the season begins remains unclear.
