Ben Simmons seems to fancy himself better at basketball than his value.
According to NBA Hall of Fame writer Marc Stein, Simmons rejected an offer from the Knicks, who can only muster a veteran minimum contract — valued at over $3 million — given their cap situation.
With four years of ugly evidence – which includes injuries, inactivity, shaken confidence and uninspired basketball – Simmons is unlikely to command more than a minimum contract, especially at this late stage in free agency.
Speaking to the Post, a league source even denied the Knicks made an offer to Simmons, 29, who was once considered a can’t-miss superstar but is now questioning whether he wants to play in the NBA next season.
His agent, Bernie Lee, recently dropped Simmons as a client, according to Stein.
A source said that decision occurred after Simmons sent signals that he wasn’t interested in whatever generated from his agent’s conversations with the Knicks.
The Celtics also were reportedly keen on Simmons, whose career was declared as finished by former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague.
“It’s over. It’s over, bro,” Teague said on his podcast, “Club 520.” “Ya’ll seen him when he was playing, he can’t move anymore. …He runs like his back hurt. He’s hurt.”
Despite the glut of recent issues involving Simmons — which includes back surgeries and an accumulation of fines for declining to play for the 76ers — 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.
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’ playoff rotation, had been working as an unpaid photographer at the U.S. Open in Queens.
Shamet is working out in New York while hoping to re-sign with the Knicks, according to the AP. He’s close with Knicks wing Mikal Bridges, who just inked a long-term extension with the Knicks.
The Knicks have been in contact with representatives for Malik Beasley, but it’s unclear if the sharpshooter — who played for the Pistons last season — will face punishment from the league based on a federal gambling probe. He’s a long shot to sign with the Knicks.
Malcolm Brogdon, the veteran point guard, is another name to watch.
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