Knicks Missed on Ben Simmons — What Does It Reveal About New York’s Roster Plan?

The Knicks were reportedly in the mix for Ben Simmons before he signed with Sacramento. The failed pursuit shows New York is still searching for versatile veteran depth.

The New York Knicks were reportedly among the teams interested in Ben Simmons before the veteran signed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Sacramento after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, ending any possibility of a move to New York for now. 

For the Knicks, the bigger story may be what the pursuit says about their plans.

Why Simmons Made Sense for the Knicks

At his best, Simmons offers a rare combination of size, playmaking and defensive versatility.

New York already has plenty of scoring, so Simmons would not have been asked to carry the offense. Instead, he could have operated as a secondary ball-handler, defended multiple positions and added another experienced option to the bench.

That type of role would have made sense for a team trying to defend an NBA championship without dramatically changing its core.

Knicks Still Want More Veteran Depth

The interest also suggests the Knicks are not finished exploring the market.

New York already has a deep roster, but the front office continues to look for players who can contribute in specific situations without demanding a major role.

Simmons fit that profile because of his experience and versatility.

Missing out on him does not create an emergency, but it reinforces the idea that the Knicks still want one more useful piece before opening night.

Financial Flexibility Still Matters

The Knicks also have to be careful financially.

With the roster already expensive, even relatively small contracts can matter when trying to avoid restrictive salary-cap thresholds.

Sacramento’s $3.5 million deal may simply have been more than New York was willing or able to offer under its preferred structure. 

What Comes Next?

The Knicks do not need to force a signing.

They can wait for another veteran to become available, explore the waiver market or preserve flexibility for a future trade.

Missing on Ben Simmons is less important than the message behind the pursuit: New York is still looking for another versatile bench piece, but only at the right price.

That patience could become crucial as the Knicks try to improve a roster that is already built to win again.