The New York Knicks, coming off their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, have had a great offseason.
They retained most of, if not all, of the core players that got them there, and signed valuable depth in guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele.
But New York still has one open roster spot available to round out their team, and while they were supposedly eyeing a free agent guard who remains unsigned, it was reported that he turned the Knicks down.
Ben Simmons Reportedly Turned the Knicks Down
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, New York offered former No. 1 overall pick and Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract, which he subsequently turned down.
“The Knicks, league sources said, indeed offered a one-year contract to Ben Simmons that the former All-Star passed on. New York is limited to minimum contract offers as training camps draw near and Simmons entered the summer hopeful of securing a contract above the minimum after he split last season between the Nets and Clippers.” Wrote Stein.
The former LSU star has had a tumultuous Summer, as his agent has reportedly cut ties with him amid a dragging free agency.
If Simmons is in fact still interested in playing, he most likely wants a bigger role on a team that will feature him in major minutes. The Knicks cannot provide that to him.
Simmons would’ve taken the last spot on the bench for New York, and would most likely only see playing time in specific defensive lineups or when injuries force him on the court.
Regardless, the Knicks can continue to scour the free agent market, where some solid names are still available for them.
Landry Shamet remains unsigned and is already familiar with the Knicks locker room, having played there last season. The same goes for free agent guards Delon Wright and Cam Payne.
Malcom Brogden has also been a name linked to New York, but it remains to be seen who the Knicks will sign to their final roster spot.
