Knicks Not Interested in 5-Time All-Star Free Agent: Insider

Former five-time All-Star Kevin Love is widely expected to secure a buyout from the Utah Jazz to become a free agent this offseason. Once he hits the open market, the veteran forward has interest in joining a big-market team such as the New York Knicks, but the franchise reportedly doesn’t share the same interest.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Love prefers a move to the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers, due to a lack of interest from the Knicks.

“There were some rumors that Love would want to go to New York, although there doesn’t seem to be much interest brewing from the Knicks,” Siegel wrote on August 5.

The report added that both the Clippers and Lakers have an open roster spot to accommodate Love, but would need to waive a player to create cap room.

Kevin Love Bound for L.A.?

“Both the Clippers and Lakers still have one open roster spot,” Siegel reported.

“But if the Lakers were to pursue Love and reunite him with LeBron, they would need to move off another contract since they are hard-capped at the first apron and just $1.1 million from this mark. When looking at the Clippers, they are basically in the same situation, as they are $1.2 million from their first apron hard cap.”

Love, a 17-year NBA veteran, was traded to the Jazz as part of a three-team deal also involving the Clippers and Miami Heat. The deal saw the Heat acquire Norman Powell, the Clippers land John Collins, and the Jazz acquire Love.

It was subsequently reported by NBA insider Marc Stein that Love was “actively exploring” ways to get out of Utah, a rebuilding team expected to be in the lottery.

Knicks Turn Attention to Ben Simmons

The Knicks’ lack of interest in Kevin Love could be due to their desire to land Ben Simmons, a former three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection.

According to multiple insiders, the Knicks have their sights set on Simmons to clinch the final roster spot ahead of the 2025-26 season. ClutchPoints’ Siegel reported on August 5 that the Knicks are favored to land Simmons over the Boston Celtics, the other team that has shown the most interest in signing the former No. 1 overall pick.

“Ben Simmons has drawn the most interest from the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks and is expected to choose where he will play during the 2025-26 season soon, sources said,” he wrote on August 5.

“Maybe another team could swoop in and convince Simmons to sign with them, but these are the two most discussed avenues among league circles for the former first overall pick. My guess: Simmons ends up in New York.”

Simmons averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in  33 games for the Nets last season, before securing a buyout with the team and joining the Clippers. In 17 games for the Clippers, he averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Despite his low production, the 6-foot-10 guard is viewed as a plus-level defender and playmaker who could help a title contender such as the Knicks, especially off the bench.