The Knicks Eye Bold Gamble: Ben Simmons, Westbrook, and Shamet in Play for Final Veteran Minimum Roster Spot Decision

The New York Knicks find themselves in a fascinating position as the 2025 NBA offseason rolls along. With just one veteran minimum roster spot remaining, the front office, led by President Leon Rose and head coach Tom Thibodeau, is weighing a trio of compelling yet controversial options—Ben Simmons, Russell Westbrook, and Landry Shamet. Each player represents a very different direction, a different calculated risk, and ultimately, a different bet on how this Knicks team plans to evolve around franchise point guard Jalen Brunson.

The most intriguing name among the three is undoubtedly Ben Simmons. Once an All-Star, former No. 1 overall pick, and Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, Simmons has seen his stock spiral dramatically over the past few seasons. Still just 29 years old, his fall has been as high-profile as any in recent NBA history. A mixture of injuries, mental health struggles, and eroded confidence in his offensive game derailed what once looked like a Hall of Fame trajectory in Philadelphia. His stints in Brooklyn have provided flashes but never full revival.

And yet, the idea of Ben Simmons in a Knicks jersey has a strange allure. His 2024–25 season with the Nets was modest statistically—5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 52% shooting in just 22 minutes per contest. But those raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. When healthy, Simmons continued to demonstrate his trademark vision, defensive instincts, and ability to create pace. He remains an elite switch defender who can guard positions 1 through 4 and bring a unique level of court awareness on both ends.

The Knicks are a team built on defense, rebounding, and toughness—three areas where Simmons, if mentally and physically locked in, could make a real impact. He wouldn’t need to be a scorer on a team that features Brunson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby. In fact, the less he tries to force offense, the more valuable he might become in a facilitator role off the bench. Thibodeau has made a career out of maximizing defenders and grinders. If there’s any coach in the league who could mold Simmons back into a valuable piece, it might be Thibs.

Still, it’s a gamble. The mental aspect of Simmons’ decline isn’t easily solved, and his persistent back issues raise concerns about availability. There’s also the question of fit—would he be comfortable in a limited role? Would he embrace the physical, high-accountability culture Thibodeau demands?

Then there’s Russell Westbrook, a player whose name once meant MVP, triple-doubles, and ferocious competitiveness. Now at 36, Westbrook is coming off a mixed season with the Clippers. He accepted a bench role for the first time in his career and showed glimpses of effectiveness, but the explosive athleticism that once set him apart has waned. He averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and while the effort was still evident, his fit in a modern half-court offense remains questionable.

Yet, Westbrook brings something few others can—experience, fire, and leadership. He’s beloved in locker rooms for his work ethic and unrelenting drive. For a team like the Knicks, looking to deepen their playoff resilience and avoid last season’s injury-driven collapse, having a veteran like Westbrook in the second unit might be valuable beyond what shows up in the box score. He can push pace, energize the crowd, and in moments where Brunson sits, still manufacture offense through sheer force of will.

But there are concerns. Westbrook’s shooting inefficiency remains a glaring issue, and he’s always needed the ball in his hands to be effective. That could clash with the offensive structure the Knicks have carefully built around Brunson and Josh Hart. Would Westbrook be content playing 10–15 minutes a night, sometimes sitting entire games? Would his ball-dominant style disrupt the second unit’s flow, or could he redefine himself yet again, this time as a stabilizing energy guy?

Lastly, there’s Landry Shamet—the least polarizing, yet perhaps most seamless fit. A career role player known for spacing the floor and moving without the ball, Shamet would add depth to the Knicks’ wing rotation and bring reliable three-point shooting (career 38.1%) in spot-up situations. At 28, he’s still in his prime and has bounced around the league enough to understand how to make himself useful in a variety of systems.

Shamet isn’t flashy. He won’t win you a playoff game by himself or change the energy in Madison Square Garden with a fast break dunk or defensive lockdown. But what he offers—low-usage shooting, intelligent cuts, and the ability to stay within a scheme—is exactly what the Knicks often need in their supporting cast. He’s a plug-and-play option who wouldn’t require major adjustments or steal possessions from more impactful teammates.

The downside to Shamet is that his ceiling is already well-known. There’s little chance of a breakout. If the Knicks are hunting upside or looking for someone who can swing a playoff game, he might not be that guy. But if they’re looking to simply reinforce their core with reliable shooting and veteran maturity, he’s the safe bet.

This decision isn’t just about numbers, resumes, or even skill sets—it’s about identity. The Knicks aren’t trying to rebuild or find a miracle fix. They’re attempting to take the next step: from a gritty playoff team to a true Eastern Conference contender. The difference between a first-round exit and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals can sometimes be one savvy minimum deal away.

Ben Simmons, if he can stay upright and buy into the culture, could revamp the Knicks’ bench with elite defense and elite playmaking. Westbrook, with his relentless motor and experience, could help galvanize a locker room and provide insurance for Brunson. Shamet, with his shooting and team-first mentality, could be the stabilizer in a high-stakes playoff series where every open look counts.

All three bring something of value. All three carry risk. And all three are being eyed for the same single opportunity—one veteran minimum contract slot that could quietly shape the Knicks’ 2025–26 campaign.

In a summer defined by splashy moves, max contracts, and blockbuster trades, this decision may not make front-page headlines. But for those watching closely, for those who understand how championship depth is built, the Knicks’ final move could end up being one of the most important.

The basketball world waits, curious to see whether New York will swing for upside, lean on experience, or trust steady production. And as always in the city that never sleeps, the lights are brightest when the choices are bold.