“I Wouldn’t Be a Fan of the Signing:” NBA Insider Says New York Knicks Shouldn’t Sign Ben Simmons
NBA insider James L. Edwards III of The Athletic doesn’t think the New York Knicks should sign Ben Simmons.
The Knicks have shown interest in Simmons, who played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers last season. The LSU product is an unrestricted free agent.
“Ben Simmons has been talked about around the Knicks, per league sources, with their minimum roster slot. If you’re asking me what I think of the fit, I wouldn’t be a fan of the signing,” Edwards III wrote. “Yes, he’d add some much-needed size to the backcourt. Yes, a defensive lineup of Simmons, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby would be intriguing for small portions of a game.
“However, I’m not a fan of having to have a tailor-made offense for a backup point guard. Simmons’ inability to shoot — or even look at the basket — makes it so that Mike Brown couldn’t successfully play him with non-shooters like Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson. Giving significant minutes to a guard or wing who isn’t willingly looking to score isn’t something I’d sign up for. New York needs to embrace its five-out spacing this season more than it did last year, and adding someone like Simmons to the rotation makes it trickier to do that.”
Simmons entered the NBA in 2016 as the first overall pick. He has yet to develop a jump shot, which is why he hasn’t made an All-Star team since 2021.
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.
A three-time All-Star, Simmons has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 383 NBA games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Nets and Clippers. He missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury and all of 2021-22 due to a holdout/back ailment.
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 added Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson this offseason in free agency.
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