The New York Knicks came up just short of their goal last season, losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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With Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton set to miss the entire season due to the torn Achilles he suffered in the NBA Finals — and with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum also nursing a torn Achilles — the Knicks enter the 2025-26 season as a potential favorite in the East.
It’s never a bad time to add some last-minute reinforcements, though.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report delved into Ben Simmons’ free agency, as the former All-Star remains without a home as the 2025-26 season nears. Pincus mentioned the Knicks as a potential landing spot for the former All-NBA Third Teamer looking to revitalize his career.
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“One of the Knicks’ most significant weaknesses last season was a lack of playmaking on the roster. Outside of star guard Jalen Brunson’s 7.3 assists per game, the only high-assist teammate he had was Josh Hart at 5.9. Recently signed guard Jordan Clarkson is a bench scorer first and foremost, not a shot creator for others,” Pincus wrote.
“Simmons could relieve some of that pressure, with the size to play alongside Brunson or entirely with the second unit to help generate offense. Before acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks were primarily known as a grind-it-out defensive unit. That shifted to more of an offense-first squad, but the team still has plenty of strong wing defenders like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Simmons adds to that group while also addressing a need on offense.”
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Simmons is a former No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers who appeared to have the skillset to be the league’s next superstar. After making three consecutive All-Star appearances from 2018-21, Simmons suffered a back injury that has drastically altered his career.
Since 2022, Simmons has played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging just 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game across 108 contests. While he’s far from the playmaking point-forward he used to be, he could still provide critical playmaking and depth to a Knicks team with aspirations of a championship run.
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