Knicks' possible OG Anunoby injury replacement is a 6-foot-10 free agent

Billy Heyen

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Knicks' possible OG Anunoby injury replacement is a 6-foot-10 free agent image

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

OG Anunoby may not be out that much longer with injury.

But if his absence lingers, the New York Knicks might have an easy solution in free agency.

Anunoby has improved as an offensive player, but his calling card remains his defensive skill and length.

Fittingly, there's a 6-foot-10 free agent with great defensive skill who the Knicks could go after.

That'd be Ben Simmons.

The Knicks were linked to Simmons in the offseason and never signed him.

Bleacher Report lists Simmons as the No. 2 available free agent in the NBA right now behind just Malik Beasley.

"Simmons is a polarizing player as a point forward who doesn't shoot the three-point shot," B/R writes. "Earlier in his career, he was among the league's top defenders. Back injuries have limited his production. The LA Clippers added him for the postseason run, but went in a different direction with Chris Paul, Bradley Beal and big men Brook Lopez and John Collins. Simmons flirted with the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings this summer, but was believed to be seeking more than a minimum contract (which is probably unrealistic at this stage of his career). After parting ways with his agent, Bernie Lee, he remains unsigned."

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Simmons certainly isn't the player he once was.

He never fully lived up to his hype as a No. 1 pick, although he did have a few impressive seasons for the 76ers before his game started to fall off. Injuries haven't helped.

Simmons shapes up as a classic midseason signing for a contender, a guy who has been there and done that and can fill a few different roles.

Maybe that ends up being with the Knicks.

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Senior Editor