The Knicks’ search for a third-string center has hit the point where New York has to think outside the usual box, and Ben Simmons is suddenly part of that conversation again.
Simmons has been on the Knicks’ radar before, and he could be open to a camp invite that comes with no guarantees. But that path gets trickier if another team steps in first, and the Kings now look like a real threat.
Sacramento general manager Scott Perry, who once worked in New York, is showing clear interest in the former All-Star. Sources said: “Ben Simmons will be one of the players Scott Perry will be in Florida watching work out today.”
That puts Leon Rose and the Knicks front office in a spot. If they want a close look at Simmons before the season starts, they may not be able to sit back and wait.
At the same time, doing nothing is still on the table. Simmons brings obvious questions with him, and there’s the added wrinkle that he has not played in the NBA since April 2025.
He also previously turned down the Knicks, which hardly helps the relationship.
Those concerns make it easy to understand why New York might prefer to keep its roster flexible. The team is still sorting through frontcourt options, roster cuts are coming, and a trade could also open up a different path closer to opening night. In that kind of setup, a guaranteed deal for Simmons may not be the move.
Still, there’s a case for the Knicks to push. The version of Simmons fans saw in Brooklyn in 2024-25 showed some of the same all-around tools that made him such a difficult player to ignore in the first place. In 33 games, he averaged 6.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds, while still bringing his 6-foot-10 frame to the floor.
If New York wants him, the pitch is pretty straightforward. The Knicks could sell him on a clear role, a chance to compete in camp and preseason, and a team that already showed interest a year ago. They may not want to hand him a standard minimum contract, but making him feel wanted could be enough to get him to accept a camp invite or a non-guaranteed deal.
And from Simmons’ side, the fit is obvious enough. He’d be playing for a team that will draw plenty of attention as defending champs, while also getting a chance to rebuild his image in a role-player setting rather than carrying a franchise. The basketball burden would be lighter, too, with a defined job and a roster that offers the most cohesive locker room and talent mix he’s had.
Sacramento and Perry could still complicate things if they offer a standard contract, especially if they get aggressive out of desperation. But Simmons has already shown he’s willing to pass on deals before if he thinks a better one is out there. With career earnings above $200 million, according to Spotrac, he may not need to chase the first guaranteed money on the table.
For the Knicks, the real issue is simple: if they want one of the few remaining center options with upside, they may have to make Simmons feel like a priority. The Kings are moving in that direction. New York may need to respond.
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