The New York Knicks are reportedly maintaining significant interest in acquiring former Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, a development that continues to ripple through the NBA free agency landscape. This sustained pursuit highlights a calculated gamble by the Knicks as they seek to finalize their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Despite nearing a month into the current free agency period, Simmons remains without a team, sparking considerable speculation about his next destination. His potential return to New York City, a familiar locale from his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, has become a prominent storyline for basketball enthusiasts.
According to insights from SNY sports reporter Ian Begley, the Knicks view Ben Simmons as a strong candidate for their coveted final roster spot. Begley’s reports earlier this week underscored New York’s continued keenness to secure the services of the embattled point guard, with other interested teams reportedly awaiting Simmons’ ultimate decision.
Simmons’ recent NBA career has been marked by inconsistency and injury. During the past season, he participated in only 33 games for the Brooklyn Nets before the franchise decided to waive him and buy out his contract on February 8th, marking an end to an often-frustrating period for both player and team.
Following his departure from Brooklyn, Simmons briefly joined the LA Clippers, where he appeared in 17 contests. His statistical contributions across both teams last season averaged five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, figures significantly below the high expectations once placed upon the former number one overall pick.
His tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, lasting two and a half seasons, was notably curtailed by health issues; he sat out his entire first season and played in only 90 games overall. His most productive period with the Nets was during the 2022-2023 campaign, where he averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists over 42 games, shooting 56.6% from the field.
Should Simmons indeed sign with the New York Knicks, he would occupy their final roster position, setting the stage for an arduous challenge to not only secure a permanent spot but also to earn substantial playing time. This scenario would test his resilience and commitment to a professional comeback.
However, at just 29 years old, there remains a compelling argument for Simmons’ potential resurgence. A glimmer of hope persists that he could overcome his persistent health issues and once again display flashes of the versatile, two-way star capabilities that characterized his impactful years with the Philadelphia 76ers.
From the Knicks’ strategic standpoint, pursuing Ben Simmons for their last roster spot appears to be a low-risk proposition. His underwhelming, and costly, stint in Brooklyn is well-documented, but given his expected modest salary demands in this current free agency period, the financial exposure for New York would be minimal, making it a potentially shrewd late-offseason acquisition.
