Ben Simmons’ once-bright career has taken another dramatic turn, and this time, the headlines are not about his play on the court but about what’s happening off it. According to Marc Stein and confirmed by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Simmons’ agent Bernie Lee has dropped him as a client after the former All-Star showed no interest in talks with the New York Knicks.
The situation unfolded after the Knicks, operating with limited cap space, reportedly explored signing Simmons to a veteran minimum deal worth just over $3 million.
For a player who once signed a five-year, $177 million max extension with the Philadelphia 76ers and was expected to be a franchise cornerstone, this was a sobering market reality. Instead of embracing the opportunity, Simmons effectively ghosted the process, signaling to his agent that he wasn’t interested in whatever came out of the Knicks’ conversations.
That was the final straw for Lee, who decided to move on.
The Knicks’ interest wasn’t baseless. Despite Simmons’ fall from grace, league executives still acknowledge his potential value as a versatile defender and facilitator. His size and instincts could have made him a useful option as a backup playmaker and defensive stopper.
But the baggage, multiple back surgeries, a reputation for lacking motivation, and an underwhelming stint with the Nets and Clippers last season made it impossible for any team to justify more than a minimum offer. Simmons averaged just 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists between Brooklyn and Los Angeles in 2024-25, far removed from his All-NBA and All-Defensive Team peak.
For the Knicks, losing out on Simmons isn’t exactly a franchise-altering miss. They still have one open roster slot for a veteran and are seriously considering bringing back Landry Shamet, who carved out a role in last year’s playoff rotation. Malik Beasley and Malcolm Brogdon are also names in the mix. Simmons could have been a low-risk flyer, but now the team will look elsewhere.
For Simmons, however, this episode is another troubling sign. When an agent drops a player, especially one with his profile, it usually signals that faith in his ability to rebuild value is gone. Agents thrive on negotiating opportunities for their clients, but if Simmons isn’t even willing to engage in discussions, then the partnership becomes pointless.
At just 29 years old, Simmons should still be in the middle of his prime. Instead, he finds himself without an agent, without a team, and without a clear path forward.
What was once a career filled with promise is now in limbo, and unless Simmons shows genuine interest in reclaiming his place in the league, the NBA chapter of his story might close far sooner than anyone expected.
