September 8, 2026
The Sacramento Kings have officially signed former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, confirming widespread reports that the three-time NBA All-Star was poised for a return to professional basketball, sportsamo.com has learned. Simmons, who sat out the entire 2025-26 season while rehabilitating from a series of persistent back and leg injuries, has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Kings, as initially reported by ESPN. This move marks a significant juncture for both Simmons, now 30 years old, and a Sacramento franchise looking to inject experienced talent into a rebuilding roster.
Simmons has been remarkably vocal throughout the offseason about his determination to make an NBA comeback. His commitment was underscored last month when he traveled to Melbourne to participate in the Australian national team’s player-led minicamp. This marked a notable return to the national team setup for Simmons, who hadn’t represented Australia since his teenage years in 2013 and consequently missed the last three Olympic cycles, often citing injury or personal commitments as reasons for his absence. His presence at the minicamp signaled not just a physical recovery but a renewed mental readiness to re-engage with high-level basketball.
The last time Simmons graced an NBA court was during the 2024-25 season, a tumultuous campaign where he appeared in just 51 games split between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers. During that stint, his statistical output—averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds—represented a stark departure from the dominant, triple-double threat he once was in Philadelphia. His declining offensive aggression and persistent injury woes had cast a long shadow over his once-promising career, leading many to question if he would ever reclaim his form.
Sacramento’s interest in Simmons, while materializing now, is not a recent development. The franchise’s pursuit of the versatile playmaker dates back to 2022, under the previous front office regime led by then-general manager Monte McNair. The Kings reportedly made a strong push for the former Philadelphia 76ers star at the 2022 trade deadline, viewing his unique skill set as a potential cornerstone. However, those discussions ultimately led elsewhere, with the Kings instead pivoting to a blockbuster trade that sent fan-favorite Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in a package centered around All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis.
Just days after Sacramento acquired Sabonis, Simmons found himself part of another seismic trade, moving from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden. This marked the end of a contentious tenure with the 76ers, a period defined by both spectacular highs—including Rookie of the Year honors and multiple All-Star selections—and a dramatic, injury-plagued playoff exit that led to a trade demand. Since being traded from the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016, Simmons has managed to play in just 108 NBA games across four seasons, a testament to the significant health challenges he has faced.
The Kings weren’t the only team reportedly considering Simmons for a comeback. Prestigious franchises like the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors also explored the possibility of adding him, as reported by The Athletic, highlighting the widespread belief that his talent, when healthy, remains an intriguing prospect. Ultimately, Simmons chose Sacramento, his fourth NBA team, in what many observers believe could prove to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both player and franchise.
For the Sacramento Kings, this signing represents a familiar strategy. For the second consecutive offseason, the team has landed a former NBA All-Star deep into the offseason calendar. Last year, the Kings bolstered their point guard depth by signing Russell Westbrook just weeks before training camp, a move that, despite initial skepticism, saw Westbrook exceed expectations on a minimum contract. With Westbrook electing to retire this offseason, despite reported interest from both Sacramento and the Washington Wizards, the Kings once again found themselves needing to address a critical void in their backcourt depth as training camp looms.
The Kings drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in the recent NBA Draft, and the promising rookie is currently projected to be the team’s starting point guard on opening night. However, the depth behind Acuff at the position is undeniably thin. Malik Monk, while a dynamic scorer, is the only other player on Sacramento’s roster who has operated in significant spot minutes at point guard over the last several seasons. This scarcity makes the acquisition of Simmons, even after an 18-month absence from the NBA, a logical and potentially shrewd move.
Simmons, standing at an imposing 6-foot-10, has predominantly operated as a point forward throughout his career, a role in which he excels at facilitating offense, grabbing rebounds, and defending multiple positions. His unique skill set could provide invaluable depth and potentially mentorship for Acuff and the rest of the Kings’ young core. The franchise is currently undergoing a significant roster overhaul, transitioning from an "old and very expensive roster" to a younger, more cost-effective lineup, and is widely expected to be one of the worst teams in the Western Conference this season. In this context, Simmons’ experience and versatile game could be instrumental in guiding the nascent talent.
The financial aspect of the deal further underscores its low-risk, high-reward nature. A veteran minimum contract means minimal financial exposure for the Kings. If Simmons can rehabilitate his value with Sacramento, even as a backup, he could become a valuable trade asset at the deadline for a contending team, or position himself to command a more lucrative contract next offseason. Conversely, if the experiment doesn’t pan out due to renewed injury struggles or an inability to adapt, the Kings can simply move on with negligible financial repercussions, effectively making it "like it never happened."
Ben Simmons has undoubtedly been one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA over the past decade. His career has been a roller coaster of extreme highs and profound lows, particularly during his tumultuous tenure in Philadelphia, which concluded on rocky terms. With a full year out of the league dedicated to recovery and reflection, this season in Sacramento looms as a defining moment for the Australian star. It could very well be the difference between the premature end of a once-brilliant professional career and its prolongation for several more seasons.
At his peak with the 76ers, Simmons was a consistent triple-double threat, an elite perimeter defender, and a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, showcasing an unparalleled combination of size, athleticism, and court vision for a primary ball-handler. However, his scoring output—and, critically, his willingness to even attempt shots—decreased precipitously during his stints with the Nets and Clippers, often becoming a glaring liability in half-court offensive sets. How Simmons adapts to a new role, potentially coming off the bench for a team not expected to contend, and how he re-engages offensively will be the ultimate determinants of his NBA future. The clock is ticking, and all eyes will be on Sacramento to see if Simmons can defy expectations and write a compelling new chapter in his complicated basketball saga.
