The New York Knicks are shoring up their second unit this offseason, with their title aspirations growing in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
The Knicks added Jordan Clarkson after he was bought out by the Utah Jazz, and they also landed former 76ers big man Guerschon Yabusele. Now, New York will look to round out its roster after making it to the Eastern Conference finals last season.
According to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York, the Knicks are interested in signing three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who was bought out by the Brooklyn Nets last season and finished the 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Ben Simmons is certainly a candidate for the Knicks’ final roster spot,” Begley wrote. “As of earlier this week, New York continued to show strong interest in signing Simmons as teams in on Simmons await his decision.”
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Simmons is expected to have several suitors in free agency, though the Knicks are also reportedly interested in bringing back Landry Shamet. New York will weigh its options, but if Simmons goes elsewhere, they might target a reunion with Shamet.
Simmons is not the scorer he was during his peak in Philadelphia, and it would be surprising to see him ever develop a reliable three-point shot, having attempted none in each of the past three seasons. However, he impacts the game in other ways, and the Knicks don't necessarily need additional scoring off the bench.
Simmons’ playmaking and rebounding would make him an intriguing addition for the Knicks. At 6-foot-10, his defensive versatility would also be a significant asset to New York.
While the best days of his career are likely behind him, the former No. 1 overall pick could play a meaningful role on a contending Knicks squad.
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