According to NBA Hall of Fame writer Marc Stein, Simmons rejected an offer from the Knicks, who can only muster a veteran minimum contract \u2014 valued at over $3 million ($A4.5m) \u2014 given their cap situation.<\/p>\n
With four years of ugly evidence \u2014 which includes injuries, inactivity, shaken confidence and uninspired basketball \u2014 Simmons is unlikely to command more than a minimum contract, especially at this late stage in free agency.<\/p>\n
And as The Post reported, the 29-year-old, who was once considered a can\u2019t-miss superstar, is questioning whether he wants to play in the NBA next season.<\/p>\n
His agent, Bernie Lee, recently dropped Simmons as a client, according to Stein. A source said the decision occurred after Simmons sent signals that he wasn\u2019t interested in whatever the Knicks were offering.<\/p>\n
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The Celtics also were reportedly keen on Simmons, whose career was declared as finished by former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s over. It\u2019s over, bro,\u201d Teague said on his podcast, \u201cClub 520.\u201d \u201cYa\u2019ll seen him when he was playing, he can\u2019t move anymore. \u2026He runs like his back hurt. He\u2019s hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the glut of recent issues involving Simmons \u2014 which includes back surgeries and an accumulation of fines for declining to play for the 76ers \u2014 the Knicks were interested because of his upside as an elite defender and athlete to fill their backup point guard spot, a league source said.<\/p>\n
Ben Simmons in action. (Photo by Luke Hales\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Knicks have one salary slot open for a veteran and Landry Shamet is under heavy consideration. The two-guard, who overcame a separated shoulder last season to crack the Knicks\u2019 playoff rotation, had been working as an unpaid photographer at the U.S. Open in Queens.<\/p>\n
Shamet is working out in New York while hoping to re-sign with the Knicks, according to the AP. He\u2019s close with Knicks wing Mikal Bridges, who just inked a long-term extension with the Knicks.<\/p>\n
The Knicks have been in contact with representatives for Malik Beasley, but it\u2019s unclear if the sharpshooter \u2014 who played for the Pistons last season \u2014 will face punishment from the league based on a federal gambling probe. He\u2019s a long shot to sign with the Knicks.<\/p>\n
Malcolm Brogdon, the veteran point guard, is another name to watch.<\/p>\n