Trades and Transactions 2025 V

[MrDollarBills]

I dunno man. I could be wrong. But I am wary of Ben. The moment has passes up a dunk or his back starts acting up, it's gonna be waste of a roster spot.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

I dunno man. I could be wrong. But I am wary of Ben. The moment has passes up a dunk or his back starts acting up, it's gonna be waste of a roster spot.

Then we replace him with another end of the roster player.

[8516knicks]

Seems like everything we have read points to Ariel getting minutes. That lineup seems small and weak.

I mean, Thibs just played 82 games with Hart at PF. I’m trying to figure out the interest in Ben and all signs point to the versatile fit with our 2nd unit. Weak, sure. But they’d run the other team out of the gym.

But we also see Hart at PF wasn't working. Looked a hell a lot better the prior season.

Hart is NOT a power forward. Probably wasn't in H.S. Ask Jay Wright. Never mind, ask Donte, JB, and Mikal.

[thebuzzardman]

Knicks get rejected by Simmons yet?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

He would basically be the 10th man in the rotation which I see as a off/on guy. Not locked into minutes every night at the vet min. I don't know if he would sign up for that but thats basically his role. Being able to sub him in late in qtrs and games for defense would be a nice weapon since he's one of the few players that legit can guard 1-5 in the league. And in the non hart minutes you probably play him alongside KAT for a few minutes a night and make it work.

But you really can't play him alongside another non shooter or the spacing gets messed up.

I don't think he'd be a tenth man, at the end of the day he has size and defensive versatility so he'd absolutely play.

He's broken mentally, the guy still has the tools to be a really good backup center but he just refuses to accept that he is in fact a center. He could run offense from the top of the key like Ihart, but he also refuses to put pressure on the rim and passes in floater range because he doesn't want to get fouled and go to the line.

He's one of the most confusing players I've ever seen.

who would he play over?

Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch/Hart/Deuce/Clarkson/Yabu would all be over him in the rotation. That is 9 guys.

Realistically? He could play over Clarkson or Yabu based on the matchup, he's still more switchable on defense than Yabu and is taller than him.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

He would basically be the 10th man in the rotation which I see as a off/on guy. Not locked into minutes every night at the vet min. I don't know if he would sign up for that but thats basically his role. Being able to sub him in late in qtrs and games for defense would be a nice weapon since he's one of the few players that legit can guard 1-5 in the league. And in the non hart minutes you probably play him alongside KAT for a few minutes a night and make it work.

But you really can't play him alongside another non shooter or the spacing gets messed up.

I don't think he'd be a tenth man, at the end of the day he has size and defensive versatility so he'd absolutely play.

He's broken mentally, the guy still has the tools to be a really good backup center but he just refuses to accept that he is in fact a center. He could run offense from the top of the key like Ihart, but he also refuses to put pressure on the rim and passes in floater range because he doesn't want to get fouled and go to the line.

He's one of the most confusing players I've ever seen.

Simmons is a flawed player but the narrative is getting a little out of control imo. I don't know if we can say he is unwilling to play center after he accepted a buyout from the Nets and took the "backup center" role on the Clippers on a team with Harden taking the point guard role most of the game.

He is up there with traditional centers in "screen assists" per 36. He actually averaged more shots taken outside of 5 feet away from the rim last year than iHart did in his last year with the Knicks. iHart's fta per 100 ticked up in year 2 with the Knicks but year 1 was similar to Simmon's Brooklyn numbers. No one was ultra concerned about having Hart and iHart on the same roster and they were surrounded with much worse shooters.

I don't know if Ben is a center or a point guard or something else. Personally I wouldn't want a guy with back issues banging with bigs all the time and we have other guys to do that.

Yes, he does bring the ball up the court like a point guard and initiate the offense something the team could use at times to take some pressure off of Brunson but he also sets screens, executes dribble hand-offs, passes out of the high and mid post, passes out of the short roll etc. I don't know why he couldn't fill in as a passing hub like iHart especially surrounded by the talent the Knicks have. He is clearly a willing and able passer from many spots on the court.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=AST&EndPeriod=0&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022400240&PlayerID=1627732&RangeType=0&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=0&StartRange=0&TeamID=1610612751&flag=1&sct=plot&section=game

I'm more concerned with his ability to defend at a high level and finish around the rim with his decreased athleticism after the injuries

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=FGA&EndPeriod=0&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022400240&PlayerID=1627732&RangeType=0&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=0&StartRange=0&TeamID=1610612751&flag=3&sct=plot&section=game


The Knicks have a ton of talent with guys that can score and shoot but they lack guys that can find them. Simmons skillset seems like it would be useful in a certain role.

He is still listed as a PG That is something that he has done in every spot, he has been adamant on being viewed as a PG. He needs to full accept being a C, down to no longer being listed as a PG on the rosters he's on.

[mpharris36]

I don't think he'd be a tenth man, at the end of the day he has size and defensive versatility so he'd absolutely play.

He's broken mentally, the guy still has the tools to be a really good backup center but he just refuses to accept that he is in fact a center. He could run offense from the top of the key like Ihart, but he also refuses to put pressure on the rim and passes in floater range because he doesn't want to get fouled and go to the line.

He's one of the most confusing players I've ever seen.

who would he play over?

Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch/Hart/Deuce/Clarkson/Yabu would all be over him in the rotation. That is 9 guys.

Realistically? He could play over Clarkson or Yabu based on the matchup, he's still more switchable on defense than Yabu and is taller than him.

He is more switchable for sure but Yabu and Clarkson were targeted off the bench to score and provide spacing. I think the FO is built on relationships to understand both Clarkson and especially Yabu took less to come here so I don't think the knicks are going to f*ck them with there roles.

Maybe depending on how simmons health plays out. But I don't see him playing more minutes then either of those guys. Especially since those guys both can play with Hart and Mitch and Simmons really can't.

[JayTWill]

I don't think he'd be a tenth man, at the end of the day he has size and defensive versatility so he'd absolutely play.

He's broken mentally, the guy still has the tools to be a really good backup center but he just refuses to accept that he is in fact a center. He could run offense from the top of the key like Ihart, but he also refuses to put pressure on the rim and passes in floater range because he doesn't want to get fouled and go to the line.

He's one of the most confusing players I've ever seen.

Simmons is a flawed player but the narrative is getting a little out of control imo. I don't know if we can say he is unwilling to play center after he accepted a buyout from the Nets and took the "backup center" role on the Clippers on a team with Harden taking the point guard role most of the game.

He is up there with traditional centers in "screen assists" per 36. He actually averaged more shots taken outside of 5 feet away from the rim last year than iHart did in his last year with the Knicks. iHart's fta per 100 ticked up in year 2 with the Knicks but year 1 was similar to Simmon's Brooklyn numbers. No one was ultra concerned about having Hart and iHart on the same roster and they were surrounded with much worse shooters.

I don't know if Ben is a center or a point guard or something else. Personally I wouldn't want a guy with back issues banging with bigs all the time and we have other guys to do that.

Yes, he does bring the ball up the court like a point guard and initiate the offense something the team could use at times to take some pressure off of Brunson but he also sets screens, executes dribble hand-offs, passes out of the high and mid post, passes out of the short roll etc. I don't know why he couldn't fill in as a passing hub like iHart especially surrounded by the talent the Knicks have. He is clearly a willing and able passer from many spots on the court.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=AST&EndPeriod=0&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022400240&PlayerID=1627732&RangeType=0&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=0&StartRange=0&TeamID=1610612751&flag=1&sct=plot&section=game

I'm more concerned with his ability to defend at a high level and finish around the rim with his decreased athleticism after the injuries

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=FGA&EndPeriod=0&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022400240&PlayerID=1627732&RangeType=0&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=0&StartRange=0&TeamID=1610612751&flag=3&sct=plot&section=game


The Knicks have a ton of talent with guys that can score and shoot but they lack guys that can find them. Simmons skillset seems like it would be useful in a certain role.

He is still listed as a PG That is something that he has done in every spot, he has been adamant on being viewed as a PG. He needs to full accept being a C, down to no longer being listed as a PG on the rosters he's on.

You are giving off some Thibs vibes with your unwillingness to let someone else handle the ball outside of Brunson. Having some regrets about that firing?

[WaltFrazier]

Pushing Brogdon or Delon Wright here:

https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-next-move-crystal-clear-with-gaping-hole-roster

Meanwhile, Brogdon seems the most appealing option. He offers competent pick‑and‑roll playmaking, competitive defense and the ability to space the floor without clogging things up. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Brogdon remains one of the few veterans available who won’t compromise the Knicks’ offensive philosophy.

The Knicks need a backup point guard
Delon Wright has also shown he can be a stabilizing force off the bench. He earned minutes during stretches of the playoffs as a guy who could defend and initiate offense. His presence slightly shifted rotation decisions late in the season, but Simmons and Brogdon retain higher name value.

[3toheadmelo]

I dunno man. I could be wrong. But I am wary of Ben. The moment has passes up a dunk or his back starts acting up, it's gonna be waste of a roster spot.

He's fools gold. He was unplayable in the playoffs for the Clippers. They basically used him like how Thibs used Frank against the Hawks.

[3toheadmelo]

Is his defense even elite anymore?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Read on Twitter

That man only averaged 8 mins in the playoffs and got 2 DNPS

You know that small highlight reel is fools gold

[spree8]

Pushing Brogdon or Delon Wright here:

https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-next-move-crystal-clear-with-gaping-hole-roster

Meanwhile, Brogdon seems the most appealing option. He offers competent pick‑and‑roll playmaking, competitive defense and the ability to space the floor without clogging things up. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Brogdon remains one of the few veterans available who won’t compromise the Knicks’ offensive philosophy.

The Knicks need a backup point guard
Delon Wright has also shown he can be a stabilizing force off the bench. He earned minutes during stretches of the playoffs as a guy who could defend and initiate offense. His presence slightly shifted rotation decisions late in the season, but Simmons and Brogdon retain higher name value.

Wonder what the holdup is on the vet signing. I’d even offer Brogdon the starting spot. Team is stacked after, especially when you add the 3rd string rooks n sophomores.

Brunson / Clarkson
Brogdon / Deuce
Bridges / Hart
Anunoby / Yabu
Towns / Mitch

[JayTWill]

who would he play over?

Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch/Hart/Deuce/Clarkson/Yabu would all be over him in the rotation. That is 9 guys.

Realistically? He could play over Clarkson or Yabu based on the matchup, he's still more switchable on defense than Yabu and is taller than him.

He is more switchable for sure but Yabu and Clarkson were targeted off the bench to score and provide spacing. I think the FO is built on relationships to understand both Clarkson and especially Yabu took less to come here so I don't think the knicks are going to f*ck them with there roles.

Maybe depending on how simmons health plays out. But I don't see him playing more minutes then either of those guys. Especially since those guys both can play with Hart and Mitch and Simmons really can't.

Brunson, Mikal, Hart, OG and KAT were our highest minute players and Thibs may be the only coach that would play Hart so many minutes. Brunson is one of the worst defenders in the league and Clarkson is also another poor defensive guard.

KAT and Yabu both played a large majority of their minutes at the 5 last year. Both of them have greater offensive advantages at the 5 but we saw the disadvantages of KAT at the 5 and some of the numbers show Yabu being worse than KAT at the 5 defensively. We really didn't see enough of KAT at the 4 to know if it is better for the team and Yabu is an unknown for us at the 4.

Simmons fits better than Clarkson and Yabu with our high minute players in many ways outside of Hart who many of us want to play a smaller role. A Clarkson/Brunson pairing and a KAT/Yabu pairing could be disastrous and the team is built around JB and KAT. This team had a ton of issues on defense last year especially when pairing Brunson and KAT even with Mitch on the court with them.

Why are we so concerned with the fit of lower minute role players especially incredibly injury prone role players? We still haven't figured out a good fit for the high minute players.

[GONYK]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Read on Twitter

That man only averaged 8 mins in the playoffs and got 2 DNPS

You know that small highlight reel is fools gold

He doesn't play because he refuses to look at the basket. His defense is still there when he's locked in.

Plus, 8 MPG and a bunch of DNPs... that's what he would play here anyway. He's a 5 now. But I do think what he offers is unique.

[MrDollarBills]

Pushing Brogdon or Delon Wright here:

https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-next-move-crystal-clear-with-gaping-hole-roster

Meanwhile, Brogdon seems the most appealing option. He offers competent pick‑and‑roll playmaking, competitive defense and the ability to space the floor without clogging things up. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Brogdon remains one of the few veterans available who won’t compromise the Knicks’ offensive philosophy.

The Knicks need a backup point guard
Delon Wright has also shown he can be a stabilizing force off the bench. He earned minutes during stretches of the playoffs as a guy who could defend and initiate offense. His presence slightly shifted rotation decisions late in the season, but Simmons and Brogdon retain higher name value.

Brogdon would be a good get if he can stay healthy. Otherwise I wouldn't mind Wright coming back.

[3toheadmelo]

Read on Twitter

That man only averaged 8 mins in the playoffs and got 2 DNPS

You know that small highlight reel is fools gold

He doesn't play because he refuses to look at the basket. His defense is still there when he's locked in.

Plus, 8 MPG and a bunch of DNPs... that's what he would play here anyway. He's a 5 now. But I do think what he offers is unique.

Did the Clippers use him at the 5? I thought teams were still using him as a PG

[GONYK]

That man only averaged 8 mins in the playoffs and got 2 DNPS

You know that small highlight reel is fools gold

He doesn't play because he refuses to look at the basket. His defense is still there when he's locked in.

Plus, 8 MPG and a bunch of DNPs... that's what he would play here anyway. He's a 5 now. But I do think what he offers is unique.

Did the Clippers use him at the 5? I thought teams were still using him as a PG

As you noted, the Clippers didn't use him much at all

Simmons as anything but a 5 is a non-starter for me. That PG ship has sailed and hit an iceberg. I think he can thrive in a Draymond type of role where he's a 5 that can switch everything and get the fast break started off a rebound. He can also do a lot of the pinch post playmaking that iHart used to do for us. He's certainly got the vision and passing skills for it. I also think the possibility of having an end-of-game "we need a f*cking stop" lineup of Mitch, OG, Mikal, Simmons and Deuce is intriguing.

He's obviously not going to save the world, but if you can have him out there for limited runs at the 5 with offense-heavy units where he never has the ball in his hands for extended periods of time, he can add a unique wrinkle to things. Certainly more than your typical minimum 12th man does.

Whether he wants that role is a different story.

[3toheadmelo]

He doesn't play because he refuses to look at the basket. His defense is still there when he's locked in.

Plus, 8 MPG and a bunch of DNPs... that's what he would play here anyway. He's a 5 now. But I do think what he offers is unique.

Did the Clippers use him at the 5? I thought teams were still using him as a PG

As you noted, the Clippers didn't use him much at all

Simmons as anything but a 5 is a non-starter for me. That PG ship has sailed and hit an iceberg. I think he can thrive in a Draymond type of role where he's a 5 that can switch everything and get the fast break started off a rebound. He can also do a lot of the pinch post playmaking that iHart used to do for us. He's certainly got the vision and passing skills for it. I also think the possibility of having an end-of-game "we need a f*cking stop" lineup of Mitch, OG, Mikal, Simmons and Deuce is intriguing.

He's obviously not going to save the world, but if you can have him out there for limited runs at the 5 with offense-heavy units where he never has the ball in his hands for extended periods of time, he can add a unique wrinkle to things. Certainly more than your typical minimum 12th man does.

Whether he wants that role is a different story.

Appreciate your insight fam. It does sound intriguing to play him at the 5

[spree2kawhi]

Pushing Brogdon or Delon Wright here:

https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-next-move-crystal-clear-with-gaping-hole-roster

Meanwhile, Brogdon seems the most appealing option. He offers competent pick‑and‑roll playmaking, competitive defense and the ability to space the floor without clogging things up. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Brogdon remains one of the few veterans available who won’t compromise the Knicks’ offensive philosophy.

The Knicks need a backup point guard
Delon Wright has also shown he can be a stabilizing force off the bench. He earned minutes during stretches of the playoffs as a guy who could defend and initiate offense. His presence slightly shifted rotation decisions late in the season, but Simmons and Brogdon retain higher name value.

Wonder what the holdup is on the vet signing. I’d even offer Brogdon the starting spot. Team is stacked after, especially when you add the 3rd string rooks n sophomores.

Brunson / Clarkson
Brogdon / Deuce
Bridges / Hart
Anunoby / Yabu
Towns / Mitch

Yeah and Wright would also be fine by me. Honestly I’m still hoping we get Lonnie Walker, even though he’s never been talked about. He has an NBA-out with his European team until season starts.

[BowlRips]

Pushing Brogdon or Delon Wright here:

https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-next-move-crystal-clear-with-gaping-hole-roster

Meanwhile, Brogdon seems the most appealing option. He offers competent pick‑and‑roll playmaking, competitive defense and the ability to space the floor without clogging things up. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Brogdon remains one of the few veterans available who won’t compromise the Knicks’ offensive philosophy.

The Knicks need a backup point guard
Delon Wright has also shown he can be a stabilizing force off the bench. He earned minutes during stretches of the playoffs as a guy who could defend and initiate offense. His presence slightly shifted rotation decisions late in the season, but Simmons and Brogdon retain higher name value.

Wonder what the holdup is on the vet signing. I’d even offer Brogdon the starting spot. Team is stacked after, especially when you add the 3rd string rooks n sophomores.

Brunson / Clarkson
Brogdon / Deuce
Bridges / Hart
Anunoby / Yabu
Towns / Mitch

They are waiting for Malik Beasley to get cleared...