Ben Simmons has been linked to the New York Knicks.
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Ben Simmons has been linked to the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks have been linked with a move for Ben Simmons in recent weeks. The former first-overall draft pick is currently an unrestricted free agent.
The Knicks could lean on Simmons for his defensive upside and playmaking skill. However, his lack of a scoring threat would be a significant obstacle for the franchise to try and overcome.
During an August 20 edition of SNY’s “The Putback” with Ian Begley, the Knicks insider shared his doubts that Simmons lands with the Knicks this summer.
“Logic tells me to take the field because there are so many different variables here for the Knicks,” Begley said. “They have interest, other teams have interest, and they have one spot unless they make a trade to open up another. So it seems to me you are looking at Landry Shamet or a Ben Simmons-type player. That is why I would probably take the field. Are the Knicks the favorite? I do not think so.”
Simmons was once viewed as a superstar of the future. His ability to get wherever he wanted on the court, and to create scoring opportunities on the fly, made him an elite-level prospect. The fact that he was also a lockdown defender was an added bonus.
However, in recent years, Simmons has struggled with back injuries that appear to have sapped a large portion of his upside. And, given the pace at which Mike Brown will likely task the team with playing, they may be better served adding a sharpshooter with the final roster spot.