Ben Simmons Signs One-Year Deal with Sacramento Kings

Ben Simmons is set to make his return to the NBA after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million with the Sacramento Kings. This deal, which is at the veteran minimum, comes as the Kings look to bolster their roster with a reliable backup point guard.

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft has not played in the league for the past season, during which he focused on personal interests, including deep sea fishing. He recently participated in a mini-camp with the Australian national team, where he showcased his skills in social media workouts, a routine that has often not translated to regular-season success.

Simmons last appeared in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, playing for both the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. In his time with the Clippers, he contributed defensively and managed to facilitate the offense, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game. However, his performance did not lead to a spot in the playoff rotation under head coach Tyronn Lue.

The Kings are banking on Simmons' health, as he has struggled with back issues since the 2021-22 season, which required multiple surgeries. Despite these challenges, he showed signs of being a capable backup during his previous stints with the Nets and Clippers.

Sacramento had explored other options for the backup point guard position, including discussions with Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo, but ultimately decided to sign Simmons. This move reflects the Kings' strategy of taking a chance on a player with significant potential, albeit with some risk.