Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Rumor: Knicks Remain Interested In Ben Simmons

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 2:32 PM ET

The New York Knicks remain interested in Ben Simmons, according to NBA reporter Ian Begley of SNY.

Simmons, who played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers last season, is an unrestricted free agent.

“Ben Simmons is certainly a candidate for the Knicks’ final roster spot,” Begley wrote. “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.”

Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the Nets and Clippers last season in 51 games. The lefty shot 52.0% from the field and 72.7% from the free-throw line.

The 29-year-old Simmons began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU. The Melbourne native has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists with the Sixers, Nets and Clippers.

Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to mental health and back issues. He requested a trade from the Sixers and was traded to the Nets in the blockbuster James Harden trade.

The Knicks made the conference finals last season for the first time since 2000. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games.

New York shockingly fired Tom Thibodeau as head coach and hired Mike Brown. Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and won the 2021 Coach of the Year Award with the Knicks.

Brown has coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. He is 454-304 in the regular season and 50-40 in the playoffs.

The Knicks have added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele this offseason.