There have been several reports that the New York Knicks were interested in acquiring one-time All-NBA guard Ben Simmons. The Australian star remains a free agent this offseason, after his one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers expired. On Monday, however, it was reported that the Knicks allegedly offered Simmons a one-year, veteran minimum deal.
Marc Stein of “The Stein Line” confirmed this report. He added that the former LSU star rejected the offer and is seeking a contract that’s worth more than a minimum deal.
“The Knicks, league sources said, indeed offered a one-year contract to Ben Simmons that the former All-Star passed on. New York is limited to minimum contract offers as training camps draw near and Simmons entered the summer hopeful of securing a contract above the minimum after he split last season between the Nets and Clippers,” Stein wrote.
However, Ian Begley, a New York Knicks insider, denied the rumor that Simmons was being offered a contract by the organization. According to his post on X, the two parties “never had dialogue.”
“Knicks have had dialogue with free agent Ben Simmons over the course of the offseason and certainly have had interest in him, but club has never made a formal offer to Simmons, per league sources. Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon among those on NYK radar for its lone roster spot,” he reported.
Even Kristian Winfield of the NY Daily News refuted the initial news about Simmons and the Knicks.
“Knicks never offered Ben Simmons a contract per league source. They had interest but never made a formal offer,” the beat writer wrote on X.
Knicks never offered Ben Simmons a contract per league source. They had interest but never made a formal offer. https://t.co/2HTzAh2pGl
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 8, 2025
Landry Shamet wishes to return to the New York Knicks
According to Begley, Landry Shamet is one of the players that the New York Knicks have been considering for their final roster spot. Fortunately for the Knicks, there is mutual interest since Shamet has been in New York, working out and hoping to make the final cut.
The link between the two parties grew intense after Shamet was seen working as a photographer at the U.S. Open.
“He’s been in New York and working out, hoping for a return to the Knicks. But wherever he ends up and whenever he finishes playing, he knows photography will be there,” the Associated Press wrote.
Last season, he appeared in 50 games, averaging 5.7 points and 1.2 rebounds. In the playoffs, the 6-foot-4 guard had 2.4 points in 11 games.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
