The New York Knicks could soon be weighing an unexpected option at backup point guard: Ben Simmons. A former All-Star and Rookie of the Year, Simmons has struggled in recent years with injuries and the intense public scrutiny that has followed his decline, but a league source noted his athleticism and defensive upside still make him a potential fit.

Yet Simmons himself appears uncertain about his future. According to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the 29-year-old—who has piled up over $200 million in career earnings while also logging extended stretches of DNPs—has been sending signals that he may not even want to continue playing.

The possibility of Simmons retiring is difficult to grasp, but not entirely far-fetched. Former All-Star Jeff Teague, speaking on his Club 520 podcast, bluntly declared, “It’s over.” For Teague, the issue isn’t Simmons’ diminished role in the league but the physical toll on his body.

“Yeah, it’s over, bro. Y’all seen him when he was playing. He can’t move no more, bro. He run like people on 2K… run like your back hurt,” Teague said, describing Simmons’ struggles on the court.

Simmons has dealt with a series of injuries throughout his seven-year NBA career. Specifically, he’s had two back surgeries in the past four years over the years of knee troubles. At some point, the former Nets star even admitted pondering retirement. He admitted to the thought creeping into his head due to the mental toll of these injuries in January.

Ben Simmons still powered through. However, having been through so much, Teague feels the injuries have had a lasting impact on his game. “He legit hurt… What made him effective was pushing the ball and being dynamic in transition, and he can’t do that no more or he don’t have the opportunity like nobody believes it because that was his whole game,” the former Hawks guard said on the Club 520 podcast.

Now, in light of Teague’s remarks, another sign has emerged casting doubt on Simmons’ future. Former 76ers star remains without a team with only weeks to go before training camp, and on Thursday, Marc Stein reported that Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, has officially parted ways with him. The timing is significant: without representation at such a pivotal stage of his career, speculation about retirement has only intensified.

Lee, who took over following Simmons’ split from Klutch Sports in 2023, had been heavily involved in guiding the three-time All-Star through injury rehabs and shaping his media narrative. His exit suggests yet another fracture in Simmons’ attempt to mount a comeback.

The injuries have indeed mounted. But if Simmons isn’t retiring, there are teams that are willing to give him a chance.

Ben Simmons has some NBA teams waiting

Since there was little mention, it felt like Ben Simmons wasn’t generating any interest. That isn’t exactly the case. According to The New York Post, the Knicks are among the teams that have approached the coveted free agent. Moreover, there is another team interested in securing him with whispers about the Kings.

Hence, it’s not as if Ben Simmons has to retire. He still has the opportunity to continue his NBA career, maybe even regain some of his lost flair. But there is something. Jeff Teague and his panel lauded Simmons as a “legend” for earning over $200 career in his career.

A potential move for Ben Simmons to the New York Knicks could be one of the most intriguing swings of this offseason—for both the player and the franchise.

Simmons, once an All-NBA talent with the Sixers and most recently a polarizing figure in Brooklyn, would be crossing borough lines but stepping into a completely different basketball ecosystem. Unlike the Nets, the Knicks are a defense-first, high-accountability program with a coach in Mike Brown. The Knicks’ offense last season leaned heavily on Jalen Brunson’s creation load. Simmons, even in a reduced role, could provide secondary playmaking—pushing in transition, initiating early-clock sets, and giving Brunson more off-ball opportunities.

At his peak, Simmons was arguably the most switchable defender in the league, capable of checking 1 through 4 while functioning as a roaming disruptor. Even a partial return to that form would fit neatly into a Knicks defense already built on toughness and discipline.

Brown’s experience coaching LeBron James in Cleveland is no small detail here. Simmons has long modeled parts of his game after LeBron’s—transition initiation, downhill passing windows, and a non-shooting but still impactful offensive presence. Brown understands how to scheme around a ball-dominant forward who isn’t a perimeter shooter. While Simmons isn’t LeBron, Brown’s history suggests he knows how to leverage size, vision, and defensive versatility to cover for shooting limitations.

Brian Windhorst recently spoke about Simmons’ potential future in the league. While he did admit there was “lukewarm” interest, teams aren’t willing to offer more than a veteran minimum contract. That might eventually play a part in the decision about his career. Tolerating some physical troubles to play basketball still sounds promising. But he also has to think about his own future, one outside the basketball court.

If not the NBA, an international league that doesn’t demand a heavy workload on the body could be a viable option for Ben Simmons. But there are many who would hope to see his NBA redemption.