Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons just inked a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, a move that brings him back to the league for his tenth season after he sat out all of 2025-26. This isn’t just another veteran signing, folks, this is a player who was once the No. 1 pick in the draft, making a comeback attempt that has everyone watching.
From Fishing Poles to the Hardwood
Simmons stepping away from basketball last year was a big deal. Dogged by health problems, specifically a chronically bad back, for years, he bought a fishing team, the South Florida Sails, and spent time working and competing. Seriously, a fishing team! But don’t let that fool you. This summer, he put down the pole, got back in the gym, and started his ramp-up to return. We saw him with the Australian national team in a mini-camp and then showcasing for NBA executives down in Florida. He was reportedly feeling much better, and that’s what sparked this whole comeback.
The Kings’ Head-Scratching Gamble
Kings general manager Scott Perry saw something he liked enough to offer Simmons a veteran minimum contract. The Kings were apparently looking for a veteran mentor and backup for Darius Acuff, Jr., who was the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft. That part makes sense, right? You want an experienced guy to guide a young talent. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Kings chose Simmons even though they “might not want him to advise Acuff on shot selection, free throw shooting, communicating with the front office, three-point shooting, or injury prevention.” Yeah, you read that right. Those are some serious red flags for a “mentor.” It’s a low-cost, high-reward gamble, but the potential pitfalls are right there in black and white.
Warriors Were In The Mix, Then Out
It wasn’t just the Kings interested in Simmons, either. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Warriors were “in the mix” along with the New York Knicks. Imagine Simmons playing alongside that Warriors core! Ultimately, the Warriors went a different direction, signing Brandon Williams and Georges Niang to fill out their roster. Was it because they weren’t impressed by what they saw from Simmons? Or did Simmons prefer the opportunity in Sacramento to really try and restart his career after his past stops with the Nets and Clippers? Remember, he sat out his first NBA season with an injury, then sat out another full season in 2021-22 with a holdout and an injury. He played only 90 games over three seasons in Brooklyn after the Nets dealt for him in 2022.
So, Ben Simmons is back, on a veteran minimum deal, with a team hoping he can mentor a rookie while simultaneously avoiding his most well-documented shortcomings. What a wild ride. It’s a massive moment for his career, and whether he can live up to even a fraction of his past All-Star potential remains the biggest question mark for the Kings this upcoming season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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