Knicks Missed a Low-Risk Ben Simmons Gamble Before Kings Deal

The Knicks pursued Ben Simmons before he signed with the Kings, revealing New York’s plan to add depth without sacrificing flexibility.

The New York Knicks considered taking one of the most fascinating low-risk gambles remaining on the NBA free-agent market.

New York was reportedly among the teams interested in Ben Simmons before the former No. 1 overall pick agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings. The Golden State Warriors were also connected to the three-time All-Star.

Although Simmons ultimately chose Sacramento, the Knicks’ pursuit offers another indication of how the front office is approaching the final stage of the offseason.

New York wants to add enough depth to withstand an 82-game schedule without committing significant money or sacrificing the flexibility needed for a larger move.

Simmons potentially satisfied both objectives.

Why the Knicks Considered Ben Simmons

Simmons would not have arrived in New York with expectations of becoming a star again.

The Knicks already have an established leader in Jalen Brunson, an elite offensive center in Karl-Anthony Towns and a deep collection of two-way wings. They would have needed Simmons to accept a specialized supporting role.

At his best, Simmons was one of the NBA’s most unusual players. The 6-foot-10 playmaker could initiate the offense, push the ball in transition, rebound at a high level and defend several positions.

His size would have allowed New York to use him as a secondary creator behind Brunson. Simmons could also have defended larger forwards and handled limited small-ball frontcourt minutes.

That versatility was the primary attraction. The Knicks were not searching for another high-volume scorer. They were evaluating whether Simmons could fill several smaller needs without forcing the team to make a significant financial commitment.

Simmons Could Have Created Unique Knicks Lineups

Simmons would have given head coach Mike Brown several unconventional lineup possibilities.

Playing him alongside Brunson could have reduced the point guard’s workload as the primary creator. Simmons would have been able to begin possessions, attack in transition and locate shooters without taking touches away from New York’s leading scorer late in games.

Pairing Simmons with Towns also carried intriguing possibilities. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor could have created driving and passing lanes that Simmons rarely enjoyed during his previous stops.

Defensively, Simmons could have switched across multiple positions and helped protect Brunson from difficult assignments. His rebounding would also have allowed the Knicks to play smaller without becoming completely vulnerable on the glass.

The potential was obvious. Whether his body could still handle those responsibilities was a much more complicated question.

Health and Shooting Made Simmons a Major Risk

Simmons did not play during the 2025-26 season while dealing with the effects of longstanding back problems. His last NBA appearance came with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025.

A full season away from the league created legitimate concerns about his conditioning, durability and ability to contribute consistently.

Even when healthy, Simmons’ reluctance to shoot has always created spacing problems. Defenses can move away from him in the half court, crowd the paint and make life more difficult for teammates attempting to attack the basket.

That limitation would have required careful lineup management from the Knicks. Using Simmons alongside another non-shooter could have made New York’s offense predictable and easier to defend.

The Knicks would not have expected a minimum-salary signing to provide a perfect solution. They would have been betting that Simmons’ defense, passing and size could outweigh his offensive limitations in selected situations.

Sacramento Offered Simmons a Fresh Start

The Kings ultimately secured Simmons with a guaranteed one-year agreement.

Sacramento can provide him with an opportunity to rebuild his value after a prolonged absence. A short contract also protects the Kings if injuries prevent Simmons from rediscovering a consistent role.

For Simmons, the move offers something New York may not have been able to guarantee: a clearer path to regular minutes and fewer immediate championship expectations.

Joining the defending champions would have placed Simmons under intense scrutiny. Every poor performance, missed opportunity or absence would have generated significant attention in New York.

Sacramento may offer a more suitable environment for the first stage of his NBA comeback.

Missing Simmons Does Not Hurt the Knicks’ Plan

The Knicks did not lose a player essential to their championship defense.

Simmons was an upside play—a talented but uncertain veteran who could have exceeded the value of a modest contract. His departure from the market does not force New York to abandon its larger strategy.

The front office can continue evaluating free agents, potential roster cuts and trade opportunities before the regular season. More veterans could become available as teams finalize their training-camp rosters.

Maintaining flexibility may ultimately be more valuable than rushing to fill the final spot.

The Knicks’ interest in Simmons still reveals something important. New York is willing to explore unconventional additions if the financial risk remains low and the player offers skills missing from the current rotation.

Simmons would have brought size, playmaking and defensive versatility. The Knicks must now determine whether another available veteran can provide a similar combination—or whether patience creates a better opportunity later in the season.