The Knicks have “checked in” on former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Simmons has also met with three other teams and is expected to make a decision on his next destination soon, sources familiar with the situation tell Begley.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star who has made a pair of All-Defensive first teams, but has battled injuries in recent years, having appeared in just 108 regular season games since the start of 2021/22.
Begley adds in the same story that the Knicks maintain interest in re-signing free agent wing Landry Shamet, but have competition from teams in both conferences for the 28-year-old. Shamet made 50 appearances for New York last season, averaging 5.7 points per game on .461/.397/.667 shooting.
Given how close the Knicks are to the second tax apron, it would probably be a case of signing Simmons or Shamet (or another veteran free agent), rather than adding both, unless they create a little more spending flexibility via trade.
Given their roster situation
- After Jake Fischer reported that the Pacers have some interest in center Deandre Ayton, David Aldridge of The Athletic suggests that interest will be reciprocated. According to Aldridge, a source close to Ayton said Indiana will be considered as a possible landing spot for the former No. 1 overall pick. The big man will clear waivers later today.
- The Serbian club KK Partizan recently announced (via Twitter) a contract extension through 2027 for former NBA forward Isaac Bonga, who appeared in 143 regular season games for three teams from 2018-22. However, Bonga remains on NBA radars, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com, who notes that the 25-year-old’s new deal includes an out clause that would give him the ability to return stateside later this summer if he gets an opportunity he likes.
- Another former NBA forward is headed to Belgrade, with the Serbian club Crvena Zvezda announcing (via Twitter) that it has signed Semi Ojeleye. The 2017 second-round pick made 284 NBA appearances for three teams across five seasons, but hasn’t been in the league since 2022.
- In accepting a one-year, minimum-salary offer from the Suns, veteran forward Nigel Hayes-Davis turned down a lucrative offer from Fenerbahce, his team in Turkey, that would have had made him one of the highest-paid players in the EuroLeague, Urbonas reports. While Hayes-Davis won’t earn as much in Phoenix, the 30-year-old will be back in the NBA for the first time since a brief stint in 2017/18.
Simmons is worth a flyer for the Knicks as a minimum salary deal. I wouldn’t profess to know if he’s healthy and motivated. Those seem to be the issues with him in his career, but from a basketball standpoint, he makes all the sense in the world. A guy who can defend multiple positions. A guy who can handle the ball behind Brunson. Makes sense, but again is he healthy and motivated?
Clippers fan here. I felt the same way last year and honestly, he looked good for a few games. His production eventually fell off a cliff and he was a mess. I don’t think he’s worth anything and I just kind of feel bad for the guy.
Randy 8:
You might be right. Again, just talking about adding depth on a minimum player contract. However, it could’ve been hard for him switching teams in season and maybe a fresh start to start this season with a new team might yield different results. I’m not expecting a lot. Just some adequate back up play. Maybe he won’t provide that, but again, for a minimum salary, it’s worth a shot
Yes, Simmons can play / cover 5 positions on D. Play back up point guard/ back up big 4/5– you need him to play D, rebound /,assists… as a 9/10 back of the bench rotation player, minimum contract, low risk move….
I don’t want any part of Simmons. He can’t stay healthy – physically or mentally. He has a game here or there but he’s too inconsistent.
NYG4246:
That’s fair. Again, the only reason I would consider it is for a veterans minimum deal. The risk isn’t huge. Then I would ask, who do you want on a veterans minimum deal? Would you just bring Shamet back? Who else is someone who will take that minimum money and actually be helpful?
I like shamet but I think there’s an upgrade to be had there but it’s tough at that salary. I’d like to see horford, crowder, Thomas Bryant or caris LeVert for the bench but I don’t envision any of them at the vet min
NYG4246:
Yeah, ultimately whoever they sign is someone who’s got to take the minimum. Some of these players are not going to get what they want but it’s hard to know who yet. The Knicks might take some time waiting to see how things shake out. LeVert is off the market.
Ayton can just kick back and wait for the offers to roll in and pick the best landing spot.
He’s maxed at 10 m this year so it wont be about immediate money but Indy offers a much greater landing strip for future money than Mil or Lakers evr did considering their timelines are in flux and Indy will want that steady hand in the middle for the long term
Chi would be interesting for a trial run with a potential for long term marriage and they could move off Vu for a couple 2nds
What is best for him is to sign a 1 years deal and regain his value. Warriors would be a good landing spot. Playing next to Green would elevate his defensive numbers. With Curry he could be getting easy baskets around the basket. All that will be asked of him is to rebound and protect the rim. He could work with the coaches to set screens enhancing his value.
You guys will only probably have 5.7 to give
He should def be prioritizing future money over a 4,3 loss with yall but idk with him, he seems like a money guy
For what its worth Lakers only have about 8.5 to give not the whole 10 to give as well
I think he will get the 1+1 in the end and have the insurance of a [player option if he gets inj/sucks
Indy and Chi could give whole 10
Pacers can offer more, way more. He’s not going to the Warriors. Ayton cares about himself and pacers have tonne of cap space going forward. It’s old man Al for you. He’ll be good, just gotta find a way to have your old dudes healthy as possible come go time. I’m willing to bet Ayton will be on his best behaviour until paid.
A extra $4 or $5 million is nothing compared what he can make at free agency if he picks that right team and has a great year. i don’t see a big fit with Pacers because they need scoring next year losing 2 of their best scorers.
What free agency? There’s no money….just look whats happening to curtain guys this off season.Turner just walked, leaving a fair chunk of money. $4-5 mil isn’t nothing. Get to Indy, who can give more right now than Golden State and way more next season. Ayton is on his last legs far as behaviour goes. At the very least, Golden State won’t have access to the full MLE like Indy. He’ll be a good boy in Indy until he’s paid. If Ayton is taking your route it’d be to the fakers who’ll have LeBrons figures off their books this time next season. He’s not going to the Warriors man. Be a nightmare and headache anyways. Imagine him and Draymond. Someone is getting knocked out.
More teams will have money next year. Look at the Nets they are keeping their cap open because next year will have better free agents. This year Geddy is the best? That is how bad it is.
Cam be getting paid in Brooklyn yet.
Ayton needs to re-establish EBRs, so if it’s a 1 yr, 1+1, 2 yr or 2+1 deal, the starting salary matters. Unless he plans to rely on cap space to get paid. He’s not good enough for any team to open it up in anticipation of him being available, but maybe he’s been told different.
He will never be a over $35 million guy but his agent can tell him he might get a Turner type of contract.
If he wants anything over 20 mm per year in 3 years, then he better start with close to 10 mm this year.
No for the Bulls, still have Vuc, Collins and Smith.
He’s not going to be that sought after, after another team got rid of him for being toxic.
Simmons is going to sucker some team to sign him to the vet minimum, then play like 40 games due phantom back injuries while averaging 3 points per game with the rare couple steal game. Meanwhile there are many more deserving players who have been grinding in the G League or overseas who would do more.
Spot on.
I understand you don’t like the guy, me either. But, you don’t have back surgery for fake injuries. Not really something Doctors are into. Anyways, would look great in a laker uniform. Bron should be pushing for big Ben, lols.
It’s way beyond surgeries.
Yeah, also mental illness. Hey, I brushed my hands with the guy when he refused to play international ball. That’s when Ben was still good. The back injuries are still real men regardless of not liking the guy.
What I’m saying is that his game is very limited now. He never even looks at the basket and so when no one has to guard him, you have a problem. I mean, he’ll guard and he will hit the boards so he’s not a total zero, and he’ll take the ball up court but once he crosses midcourt, he wants nothing to do with the offense. There’s not much you can do with a guy who wants no part of the offense. Frustrating player.
He is ultra frustrating. Someone will give him the minimum though.
Agree. His best-case scenario is to fix it somehow so he can at least perform like MPJ, who also had disk issues. MPJ is not and will never be the player projected from high school, but at least he can move and play within certain limits.
I can’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to give Ben Simmons any money. Because that’s EXACTLY what you’d be doing. Throwing it away.
Ayton to the Pacers Al to Warriors and let the hysterical laughter begin. Just need LBJ to ask for a buy-out, only to be laughed at again. How long does JJ and Bronny last in a laker uniform? Also, what are the odds of the lakers winning the number one pick and bringing in Giannis soon as LeBron leaves, lols. Surely Silver has a plan.
I more expect if the Lakers get off to a bad start and hovering around .500 around trading time Lebron will be asking for a trade to a contender. the west is going to be so extremly tough with the top 4 spots already out of reach. Lakers will not hestitae to trade LeBron around the trade deadline to bring in some draft picks.
Gonna be hard to pull off salary wise. Bought out, different story. Bought out and straight to the team down the road. Steph, Bron, Horford, Draymond, Jimmy, Dame this time next season would be insane on paper.
Nobody is trading for Bron with that contract lol. He would have to ask for a buyout. He wanted LA so go down with the ship.
Ayton to the Lakers!!!
Hard to tell if people are talking about Ayton or Simmons. Hope they land on the same team for the fireworks.
They’re almost the same guy, except Simmons seems to have more self awareness about himself than Ayton
But both are playing basketball because they’re tall and make money, and unlike Jokic, don’t seem to care at all even during the games.
If you had Simmons and Ayton on the same team you would need a medical shrink on the bench as an assistant coach…. Just saying…
Ayton is gonna be big for the Lakers
I’m hoping my Nuggs sign Ben to run the 2nd unit and his D would help in high leverage games…he can guard 1 to 5…
Not the player he use to be but he can definitely help a contender…no doubt
Nuggets could work. Anywhere Big Ben goes will be ‘could work’ at this stage. Knicks are stacked and Ben would only be used sporadically. I think the Warriors could get something out of him too at the 4 and Drey at the 5. He’s still got great vision. Get open he’ll find you. It’s not like he can’t initiate the offence and release pressure from Steph getting blitzed and bruised up. Warriors fans will hate that. Then again they hate other fan bases talking on the Warriors anyways, oh well.
I’m conflicted on Simmons. Makes all kinds of basketball sense, but I don’t know where his head is. I don’t know that I want to gamble on him and risk losing Shamet.
Would love to see Ben take off again. Basketball wise he can do everything at a really high level except shoot. But as a point forward he could still be a Scottie Barnes type forward with better playmaking it’s just a health and headspace thing for him.
Ben as a supporting player is OK , if healthy on on a minimum contract is a bargain. As a back up point guard he can still run an offense… HEY, Ben in transition off the rebound can really motor…. He can play D also….
You’re downplaying the reality which is that he’s a near zero offensively, and that creates problems for any offense.
Isaac’s agent failed in his effort to DRUM up NBA interest in BONGA !!
Simmons to pels…
Definitely would want Landry back. I don’t see another team giving him more money.
Simmons is intriguing. Just not sure about him. Don’t want a head case on team. But he can resurrect his career in NY. We see all the little things. So can appreciate his effort. Rather Landry here. Knicks have 4 young players who can help next year. That would go a long way to strengthening bench. One thing we know. Is Brown won’t sit them now. They will get their chance. Knicks could be making a trade with Mitch down the road.
IMO I’d take Burks back and Shamet.
Time for Hukporti, Kolek, Diadet to push for PT.
Hukporti steps up we can move Mitch. The other big will play in SL. Keep an eye on him.
Virtually unplayable down the stretch. Last 13 games he actually was played.. 1.4 points on 31% shooting in 14.5mpg. And a DNP in game 6 and 7 says it all.
If you need a warm body, he’s a corpse, dead inside.
I would rather take a flyer on Fultz at this point or MB3 depending on what you think this dude is – guard or forward.
I agree completely that it’s time for last year’s draft picks to play an important role. They are cheap and hopefully can produce at a high level.