Ben Simmons Drops Agent Following Knicks Interest

In a surprising turn of events, three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has parted ways with his agent Bernie Lee after Simmons seemingly tuned out discussions regarding a potential deal with the New York Knicks. According to a report by Stefan Bondy in the New York Post, Lee made his decision following signals from Simmons indicating a lack of interest in the offers communicated by his agent.

Initially, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Knicks had presented a one-year offer to the 29-year-old Simmons. However, the Australian star is seeking a contract that exceeds the veteran's minimum, which is the highest that New York can currently afford due to their salary cap constraints.

Simmons' Career Dilemma

The decision to drop Simmons comes amid growing concerns regarding his future in the league. On September 3, Bondy stated that there were rumors Simmons might even consider retirement. The fact that he remains unsigned as early September approaches is telling of his current standing in the NBA.

Simmons' short tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers did little to enhance his reputation. Over 18 games, he averaged a mere 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. Furthermore, he only logged 42 minutes during the Clippers' first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, raising questions about his viability as a player.

Many NBA observers note that a veteran's reputation can suffer significantly after being bought out. Case in point: Russell Westbrook, who transitioned from earning $47 million in the 2022-23 season to signing a minimum contract with the Clippers after a buyout deal. Similarly, Simmons has seen a steep decline from his peak years when he was receiving MVP votes and was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21.

While Simmons, the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year, has amassed over $203 million in earnings—granting him generational wealth—his aspirations for a favorable contract are understandable. However, the danger he faces is that teams may decide it’s better to let him exit the NBA altogether if he cannot turn his career around.