The Knicks supplied Ben Simmons a one-year contract sooner or later this offseason, in keeping with NBA insider Marc Stein ( Substack hyperlink), who studies that the free agent handed on that proposal.
As a result of their proximity to a tough cap, the Knicks aren’t in a position to supply greater than the veteran’s minimal to any free agent, so it’s secure to imagine that’s what their supply to Simmons was price. Based on Stein, the previous No. 1 general choose stays hopeful of signing a contract price greater than the minimal.
Simmons, 29, was the NBA’s Rookie of the 12 months in 2018, made three All-Star groups from 2019-21, and was the Defensive Participant of the 12 months runner-up in 2021. One of many NBA’s greatest passers and defenders earlier in his profession, he signed a maximum-salary rookie scale extension in 2019 that ran from 2020-25 — he was purchased out of that deal this February earlier than signing with the Clippers for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
A number of again surgical procedures have slowed Simmons lately and his offensive numbers have fallen off when he has been wholesome sufficient to play. Whereas he was by no means a lot of a shooter, the previous LSU standout was extra keen to aim subject targets earlier in his profession. His shot makes an attempt per 36 minutes have declined in each single one in all his NBA seasons, from 13.2 in 2017-18 to 7.2 in ’24-25.
Though he accepted a rest-of-season minimal take care of the Clippers in February, Simmons appears to be struggling to come back to phrases with the concept that he’s now being thought of a minimum-salary participant, as Jake Fischer detailed in his newest Bleacher Report reside stream (YouTube hyperlink). Latest studies indicated that agent Bernie Lee has parted methods with Simmons and that the three-time All-Star isn’t 100% positive he desires to proceed taking part in.
Based on Stein, the Knicks and Celtics are the groups that expressed essentially the most vital curiosity in Simmons this summer season. Boston would possible even be capped at a minimum-salary supply because of the staff’s proximity to the tax aprons.
