As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, 29, remains a prominent figure among the league`s available free agents. While the New York Knicks and at least one other NBA team have reportedly expressed interest, a recent report from the New York Post suggests Simmons is contemplating his future in the league, questioning whether he desires to continue his NBA career.
Simmons, who was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, has experienced a career characterized by both significant achievements and notable setbacks. He earned Rookie of the Year honors, secured three consecutive All-Star selections from 2019 to 2021, and was twice named to the All-Defensive First Team. However, his performance and availability have been significantly impacted by various injuries and a contentious departure from the 76ers, limiting him to just 108 games combined over the last four seasons. During this challenging period, Simmons split his time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 51 games where he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.
Earlier in February, Simmons was bought out by the Nets before subsequently signing with the Clippers for the remainder of the season. Following 18 regular-season appearances with Los Angeles, he saw limited action in five playoff games, averaging 8.4 minutes per contest, during the Clippers` seven-game first-round series loss to the Nuggets.
In July, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that several teams, including the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and the Knicks, had previously shown interest in Simmons. Despite these reports, no tangible offers or deals have reportedly materialized since then.
Should the Knicks ultimately decide to sign Simmons, it is widely anticipated that he would primarily serve in a reserve capacity. New York is coming off a successful season, having reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, and has been notably active during the offseason. The team dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau shortly after their playoff run, subsequently appointing Mike Brown, a coach with past tenures at the Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers, as his replacement.
