Leon Rose, Knicks
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Knicks president Leon Rose is no stranger to gambling on former All-Star.
The New York Knicks are predicted to end up with former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons.
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel made the bold prediction after reporting that the Knicks and the Boston Celtics are the two teams that showed “most interest” in the 6-foot-10 Simmons.
“Maybe another team could swoop in and convince Simmons to sign with them, but these are the two most discussed avenues among league circles for the former first overall pick. My guess: Simmons ends up in New York,” Siegel wrote.
The Knicks’ chances increased after the Celtics signed Chris Boucher to a guaranteed one-year deal, with a promise of playing a significant role next season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are also interested in Simmons, NBA insider Marc Stein previously reported.
“League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I’m told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York and Sacramento,” Stein wrote on his Substack newsletter “The Stein Line” on July 20.
Ben Simmons Seeks Redemption
Ben Simmons, Clippers
Getty Ben Simmons’ stock is at an all-time low.
Simmons has been on the Knicks’ radar early in NBA free agency.
SNY’s Ian Begley was the first to report about the Knicks’ strong interest in Simmons.
“Simmons has met with three other teams and is expected to make a decision soon, per people familiar with the matter,” Begley wrote on July 2.
It seems Simmons is taking his time deciding where to play next after his failed stint with the Los Angeles Clippers following his buyout with the Brooklyn Nets.
Simmons signed a $1.08 million deal with the Clippers after reaching a buyout with the Nets for the remaining portion of his five-year, $170 million rookie extension contract he originally signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 6-foot-10 Simmons has fallen off the cliff since he left Philadelphia over mental health and mysterious back issues. His once promising career went south in Brooklyn.
Last season, he averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in his final 33 games in Brooklyn. He only played 17 games for the Clippers and was an afterthought, averaging career-lows 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Simmons is still 29. Aside from seeking a fresh start, redemption will also be on his mind as he attempts to get back to his All-Star form. To do that in an unforgiving New York market will be rewarding.
The Knicks are no stranger in rehab project but their last gamble on injury-riddled Kemba Walker backired.
3 More Point Guards Floated as Knicks Options
James Edwards III of The Athletic also floated Simmons as part of the group of point guards that could be in play for a backup role next season. The Knicks beat reporter predicts New York will add another point guard to round up the roster, with Simmons at the forefront.
“I’m expecting New York to use its veteran’s minimum spot on the point guard position, with names like Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon, Delon Wright and Monté Morris worth monitoring,” Edwards wrote.
Brogdon was a former Rookie of the Year like Simmons. But what sets him apart is that he has a more complete game.
However, Brogdon is a walking injury risk. He is coming off an injury-riddled season that saw him have the second-lowest scoring in his career after playing for only 24 games.
Injuries have derailed his once-promising career. He has not played over 70 games since his rookie season.
Since the Boston Celtics shipped him to Portland in 2023, Brogdon has only played in 63 games across the last two seasons. He was sidelined by a left ankle sprain for the final 28 games. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.7 points while shooting a career-worst 28.6% from the three-point line, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game for the rebuilding Washington Wizards.
Wright, who played for the Knicks last season, and Morris are of lesser caliber and more of a third-string point guard than a backup.