Ben Simmons seems to fancy himself better at basketball than his value.
Simmons rejected an offer from the Knicks, who can only muster a veteran minimum contract — valued at over $3 million — given their cap situation, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein reported.
With four years of ugly evidence — injuries, inactivity, shaken confidence and uninspired basketball — Simmons is unlikely to command more than a minimum contract, especially at this late stage in free agency.
Speaking to The Post, a league source even denied the Knicks made an offer to the 29-year-old, who was once considered a can’t-miss superstar but now is questioning whether he wants to play in the NBA next season.
Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, recently dropped him as a client, according to Stein.
Ben Simmons (25) rejected a contract offer from the Knicks. Getty Images
A source said that decision occurred after the point guard sent signals that he wasn’t interested in whatever came from his agent’s conversations with the Knicks.
The Celtics also were reportedly keen on Simmons, whose career was declared finished by former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague.
“It’s over. It’s over, bro,” Teague said on his “Club 520” podcast. “Ya’ll seen him when he was playing; he can’t move anymore. … He runs like his back hurt. He’s hurt.”
Despite the glut of issues surrounding Simmons — back surgeries and an accumulation of fines for declining to play for the 76ers — the Knicks were interested because of his upside as an elite defender and an athlete to fill their backup point guard spot, a league source said.
Ben Simmons (25) has a rebound tipped away by Nuggets star Nikola Jokic (15). Denver Post via Getty ImagesThe Knicks have one salary slot open for a veteran, and Landry Shamet is under heavy consideration.
A two-guard who overcame a separated shoulder last season to crack the Knicks playoff rotation, Shamet had been working as an unpaid photographer for USTA at this year’s U.S. Open in Queens.
Shamet is working out in New York while hoping to re-sign with the Knicks, according to the AP.
He’s close with Knicks wing Mikal Bridges, who just inked a long-term extension with the Knicks.
The Knicks have been in contact with representatives for Malik Beasley, but it’s unclear if the sharpshooter — who played for the Pistons last season — will face punishment from the league based on a federal gambling probe.
Point guard Malcolm Brogdon, the former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, is another name to watch.
