The New York Knicks adding Ben Simmons is not the answer

The New York Knicks trade winds are certainly starting to pick up.

Roughly five months ago, Ben Simmons was fresh off a second-round exit with the Philadelphia 76ers at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. Many NBA fans let their disapproval of Simmons’ performance be well known while the media speculated day and night what was next for the 6’11 point guard.

It was around this time that I had speculated if the New York Knicks would be a good fit as a potential landing spot for Simmons in a trade scenario. All these months later, Ben Simmons is still a member of the Sixers organization but is very much on his way out.

While the scenery hasn’t changed for Simmons, many other things have changed from then to now. Simmons has not played or practiced with his team for this season as he awaits a trade. The rumors of his displeasure with the organization and the fan base have been heavily rumored. Those rumors seemed to grow legs when Simmons attended a Sixers practice on October 19th and was such a malcontent he was kicked out of practice.

Not to mention Simmons has willingly sacrificed paychecks and pointed to his mental health being a large factor in why he has not returned.

Clearly, the way fans in Philly and across the league have piled on negative thoughts about his abilities and have questioned his desire to improve on his weaknesses has had a toll on Simmons. The drama has only escalated, but it may be coming to an end very soon.

When Simmons is traded, would coming to New York help the Knicks?

According to Shams Charania, the market for Simmons has heated up. He sited that one of the teams that have been added to the “pool” of potential trading partners is the New York Knicks.

Back when I wrote that article, I was open to entertaining what good Simmons could do for a Knicks team who struggled offensively and needed defensive help outside of the paint. I even went as far as to suggest Simmons make a move to the center position in a Giannis Antetokounmpo-esque role.

However, in the end, I felt dealing for Simmons wouldn’t be worth it for many reasons, chief among them that Simmons would be too big of a change and an unnecessary one is given that the Knicks were a team on the rise and coming off a great season.

Not only do I still feel that way today in the wake of these recent reports, but I have additionally become heavily against the prospect that Simmons would fix the problems the Knicks currently have laying at their feet, especially because the Knicks are now suddenly trash again.

First, I will be arguing that any trade for Simmons itself would be an issue for the Knicks.