Ben Simmons, Knicks
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Ben Simmons speaks during Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center on October 02, 2023 in New York City.
Ben Simmons’ spiral from All-Star centerpiece to NBA afterthought continued this week, as the former No. 1 overall pick and his agent Bernie Lee parted ways amid confusion over Simmons’ reluctance to pursue talks with the New York Knicks.
The development marked another twist in a career defined as much by what-ifs as achievements. Once hailed as the future of the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons now faces dwindling interest around the league and questions about whether he will even continue playing.
Lee Ends Partnership After Knicks Signals
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Lee, who also represents Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler, decided to cut ties after Simmons gave little indication he was interested in potential opportunities with the Knicks.
“A source said that decision occurred after the point guard sent signals that he wasn’t interested in whatever came from his agent’s conversations with the Knicks,” Bondy reported.
The Knicks had been loosely linked to Simmons throughout the offseason, exploring him as a low-cost veteran minimum option to add size and playmaking off the bench. But the discussions never progressed, and Simmons’ apparent lack of enthusiasm left Lee with little choice but to move on.
Conflicting Reports Surround Knicks’ Interest
On Monday, longtime NBA insider Marc Stein wrote that he had “passed on” a one-year veteran minimum deal from the Knicks.
That claim was quickly disputed by SNY’s Ian Begley, who reported, citing league sources, that while New York had dialogue with Lee about Simmons, no formal offer was ever made.
Stein also identified Boston as a serious suitor, but the Celtics ultimately used their open roster spot to sign veteran forward Chris Boucher.
From Max Contract to Minimum Offers
Ben Simmons, Knicks
GettyThe Ben Simmons-New York Knicks saga takes a surprising turn.
The uncertainty around Simmons’ future underscores how far his career has fallen. After signing a five-year, $190 million rookie max extension with the Sixers in 2019, he was expected to be a franchise cornerstone.
Instead, his struggles with confidence, a herniated disk, and extended absences led to his exit from Philadelphia and inconsistent stints in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
Last season, Simmons split time between the Nets and Clippers. With Brooklyn, he averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 33 games before reaching a buyout on his contract. He then joined the Clippers on a pro-rated $1.08 million deal, where he appeared in just 17 games and posted career lows of 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Despite flashes of his trademark defense and playmaking, Simmons never regained a steady role.
Future in Doubt
At 29, Simmons’ NBA future remains uncertain. The Nets are the only team left with meaningful cap space, though there has been no indication of mutual interest in a reunion. With veteran minimum slots now his only realistic pathway back, the former Rookie of the Year must weigh whether he wants to continue his career at a drastically reduced role and salary.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are moving on to explore other veteran free agents to fill their lone remaining roster spot. Landry Shamet and former Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon are on New York’s radar, according to Begley.
For Simmons, the split with Lee may prove to be more than a business move. It could signal the closing of one chapter — and raise doubts about whether another one is still to come.