The New York Knicks still need to fill out their roster, but they will need to get creative to do so.
One lingering option is Ben Simmons.
Here is what James L. Edwards III of The Athletic had to say about a possible Simmons-New York marriage:
“Simmons has been talked about around the Knicks, per league sources, with their minimum roster slot.
“If you’re asking me what I think of the fit, I wouldn’t be a fan of the signing. Yes, he’d add some much-needed size to the backcourt. Yes, a defensive lineup of Simmons, Bridges and Anunoby would be intriguing for small portions of a game. However, I’m not a fan of having to have a tailor-made offense for a backup point guard.”
While Simmons would bring an enticing skill set, his inability to spread the floor would make for a clustered fit along any of the Knicks’ five-man combinations, especially those which feature multiple starters.
Jalen Brunson needs the ball in his hands. Karl-Anthony Towns thrives in the pick-and-pop, but you can not dismiss his low-post touches, either. Edwards did cite the defensive potential of pairing Simmons with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
But that would leave Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and whichever other big cements himself in the rotation (likely Guerschon Yabusele) more strapped for minutes.
Beyond the awkward on-court fit, Simmons has serious health concerns. His games played by year, since his debut 2017-18 campaign, are as follows: 81, 79, 57, 58, 0, 42, 15, 51.
We have already seen the effects of a heavy workload on these Knicks stars, and assuming Simmons will be around for a crucial postseason is an untrustworthy approach.