Knicks Face Surprise Competition for Ben Simmons as Unexpected Team Emerges in Pursuit of Former Top Overall NBA Draft Pick
The NBA offseason never fails to deliver drama, and this summer has added yet another twist involving one of the league’s most polarizing figures. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, a surprise team has emerged in the pursuit of former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons—putting the New York Knicks in direct competition for a player they’ve long been monitoring. This new rival suitor could complicate what once seemed like a logical and quiet acquisition for the Knicks.
Simmons’ name has floated around trade rumors for years now, but his situation is uniquely intriguing this time. Once heralded as the next generational point-forward, Simmons’ stock has fluctuated drastically due to injuries, offensive limitations, and concerns about his confidence. Still, his age, size, and defensive versatility continue to attract interest—especially from teams looking for a reclamation project with upside.
The Knicks, who have made a name for themselves under Tom Thibodeau as a gritty and defensively sound playoff mainstay, see potential value in Simmons as a low-cost, high-reward rotation piece. But now, with a new team entering the fray, the stakes have changed. The question is whether the Knicks are ready to meet the challenge or will be outbid for a player whose next chapter remains a mystery.
New York’s interest in Ben Simmons is not new. The Knicks front office has reportedly kept an eye on Simmons for multiple seasons—viewing him as a potential fit in a system that emphasizes defense, ball movement, and physicality. Given Simmons’ positional versatility and ability to guard one through four, the thinking was that he could slot into multiple lineups and help lighten the load for Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
For the Knicks, Simmons wouldn’t need to be a star. He wouldn’t be tasked with carrying the offense or being the focal point. Instead, the vision was to deploy him as a secondary playmaker, a defender who can switch onto wings, and a transition threat who pushes pace off rebounds.
This minimized role could theoretically bring out the best in Simmons, allowing him to rebuild his confidence without the spotlight and pressure he faced in Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The Knicks’ stable locker room and accountability-focused culture under Thibodeau might provide the ideal setting for Simmons to find himself again.
With his market value at an all-time low, the Knicks hoped they could acquire him for a modest package, perhaps involving a future second-round pick and an expiring contract. But the sudden emergence of a new suitor may force them to act more aggressively—or walk away entirely.
Marc Stein’s report didn’t reveal the exact identity of the new team but described it as a “surprise contender” that sees Simmons as a potential “defensive chess piece” and believes its internal culture can unlock his remaining potential. The phrasing immediately raised speculation around several franchises.
Teams like the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, or even the Miami Heat could fit that mold. All three have strong coaching structures, a need for defensive versatility, and front offices willing to take calculated risks. The Kings and Pacers in particular have young cores and could look at Simmons as a way to bolster defense while maintaining a fast-paced offensive identity.
Miami, on the other hand, has a long track record of rehabilitating player reputations—turning “disappointments” into contributors within Erik Spoelstra’s system. If Simmons were to land in South Beach, it would arguably be the most advantageous environment for him on paper: a tough-minded team, defined expectations, and minimal offensive burden.
Whoever the mystery suitor is, the key takeaway is this: Simmons’ market may not be as dormant as once believed. Even after years of injuries and criticism, there are teams willing to take a flier on a 28-year-old former All-NBA defender with elite size and instincts.
To understand why teams like the Knicks or this new suitor are interested, you have to look past the headlines and dissect what Simmons still brings to the table.
When healthy, Simmons remains one of the most versatile defenders in basketball. He can comfortably switch across all perimeter positions and has the instincts, size, and footwork to disrupt opposing stars. He’s also a gifted rebounder, especially on the defensive end, and can initiate fast breaks with one pass or dribble.
Offensively, Simmons’ lack of shooting is a glaring weakness. He has never developed a reliable jump shot and his free-throw woes are well documented. But in a properly structured offense that features other creators, he can still contribute. His court vision and passing are elite, particularly in transition or when he’s surrounded by shooters.
If used as a hybrid forward in the mold of a Draymond Green—facilitating from the elbows, setting screens, and cutting to the basket—Simmons could become a valuable glue guy rather than a flawed star. It’s that possibility that entices teams like the Knicks, who are searching for defensive depth and lineup flexibility heading into the next phase of their playoff journey.
One of the biggest challenges in trading for Simmons remains his contract. He’s set to earn over $40 million in the final year of his current deal. That figure severely limits his market, as few teams have the cap space or expiring salary ballast needed to take him on outright.
The Knicks could make a deal work by including Evan Fournier’s expiring contract ($19 million) along with a few smaller salaries like Jericho Sims or Malachi Flynn. Brooklyn may also be willing to eat some of the money if it means offloading Simmons and freeing up space for future moves.
The surprise suitor, meanwhile, would need to craft a similar package—likely involving a bad contract swap and possibly offering a protected draft pick or young player as a sweetener. It’s not about who values Simmons the most—it’s about who can afford to take on the risk while maintaining financial flexibility.
For the Knicks, this new competition for Simmons forces a reckoning. Do they believe enough in his fit and upside to outbid another team? Or do they stick to their valuation and let the chips fall where they may?
This isn’t a superstar bidding war—it’s about margin moves and long-term projections. But it matters. If the Knicks think Simmons can evolve into a key rotation piece or help swing a playoff series with his defense, they may need to move quickly and aggressively. Waiting too long could mean missing out.
Conversely, the Knicks might ultimately decide the risk outweighs the reward. They’ve built something special around Brunson, Randle, and Josh Hart, with new additions like Mikal Bridges possibly on the way. Simmons could disrupt that chemistry if he’s not 100% locked in mentally or physically.
It’s a delicate calculus. Betting on Simmons is essentially betting that your team environment is better than the others he’s played in—that your coaches, players, and culture can draw out the best in a player who has spent years trying to silence doubters.
Beyond Simmons himself, this situation illustrates how dynamic the NBA’s middle tier of players has become. Stars dominate headlines, but players like Simmons—high-ceiling, low-floor guys—can be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep playoff run.
If Simmons were to land with the Knicks, it would be a fascinating experiment. Could Thibodeau and company revive his career? Would Madison Square Garden welcome him or grow impatient? Would his defense change the ceiling for a team already among the East’s top five?
On the other hand, if Simmons thrives elsewhere—especially with a surprise contender—it could be a cautionary tale for the Knicks about missed opportunities and the value of strategic risk-taking.
The Knicks’ pursuit of Ben Simmons was always going to be a gamble. But now, with a new and unexpected competitor in the mix, the stakes have risen. Simmons’ career has been anything but linear, but he remains a unique talent with tools that can’t be taught.
Whether the Knicks decide to go all-in or walk away, the next few weeks could shape the perception of both Simmons’ future and New York’s front office. In the unpredictable theater of NBA trades, sometimes the biggest moves are the ones that feel smallest at the time. Ben Simmons might just be one of those moves.
