The NBA offseason isn’t delivering many storylines this time of year. But that doesn’t mean NBA front offices aren’t still busy trying to upgrade the roster. That includes the New York Knicks, who have already made sweeping changes to their coaching staff.
Now the roster could be changing soon too.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are now showing a strong level of interest in three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who remains unsigned in free agency.
“Ben Simmons is certainly a candidate for the Knicks’ final roster spot. As of earlier this week, New York continued to show strong interest in signing Simmons as teams in on Simmons await his decision. He’s garnered interest from several teams around the league. The Knicks also have maintained interest in Landry Shamet for that final roster spot.”
Ian Begley on New York Knicks/Ben Simmons
After four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, three more with the Brooklyn Nets, and a partial year with the Los Angeles Clippers, Simmons is testing free agency for the first time in his NBA career.
The thing is, the Knicks can only afford to sign Simmons to a veteran minimum contract. Yet, after making over $203 million in his NBA career thus far, Simmons may not feel the urge to chase another payday.
Plus, if Simmons had better contractual offers, chances are he already would have signed by now, likely much earlier in the free agency process. Now with teams already spending all their money, Simmons doesn’t have many options left, but the Knicks are still calling his name.
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