The New York Knicks could use one of their open roster spots on a former All-Star guard.
As of this writing, New York has 12 players signed to guaranteed standard roster spots — plus Ariel Hukporti.
Plenty of intriguing free agents who could likely be had for veteran's minimums, including 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook, former three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, and 2024-25 Knicks guards Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, remain unsigned.
What will the Knicks do with their final open roster spots?
Technically, former five-time All-Star big man Al Horford and guards De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are still available, although all are expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors once the team figures out Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency.
Simmons, in particular, seems like he could be an interesting fit — provided the oft-hurt 29-year-old doesn't flat-out retire.
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During a new interview with Fritz Alcindor Jr. on the latter's "NBA Economy Show," longtime league insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson indicated that there might be "mutual interest" between New York and Simmons.
After negotiating a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets, the 6-foot-10 vet signed on with the playoff-bound L.A. Clippers to close out the 2024-25 season.
The two-time All-Defensive Teamer averaged just 2.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the field and 85.7 percent shooting from the foul line, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.7 steals in 16.4 minutes per. He was phased out of head coach Tyronn Lue's rotation for the playoffs.
"I think coming from that Clippers system... I think you saw flashes of what many people fell in love with in his game, playing alongside James Harden, Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers," Robinson said.
"I just think the Knicks would be a good opportunity for him," Robinson added. "The Knicks and Ben Simmons do have mutual interest in one another."
During a conversation with Simmons earlier this year, Simmons acknowledged that he continues to struggle with a lingering back injury that has impeded his athleticism for years.
“With the back, you use your back every day with everything you do,” Simmons said. “When you’re breathing everything’s connected so your hips, your legs, upper body, like everything is tied together.”
On paper, if Simmons could recapture some of the athleticism that made him such a versatile perimeter threat with the Philadelphia 76ers, he might at least be worth a flier for a New York squad with major playoff aspirations.
But he appears to still be adjusting to his ailing back.
“It’s still now certain things that I do for the first time on the court and be like, Okay. I can do that,” Simmons said. “It’s a mental thing too. If you haven’t done it and you weren’t able to do it, you have to see yourself do it and go through it to build that confidence.”
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