Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings on Friday morning, marking his big return to the NBA after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. This isn’t a quiet signing either; the Kings reportedly beat out some serious competition for the former first overall pick.
He’s Back: What It Took for Simmons to Land in Sac-Town
Simmons, a one-time All-NBA star, is gearing up for his 10th season in the league, and trust me, he didn’t walk into this deal. ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the news that Simmons absolutely *impressed* the Kings during his workouts, with his health reportedly in “excellent shape.” This wasn’t some quick chat. Simmons actually traveled to Sacramento on Monday, going through a seriously in-depth medical exam, crushing an on-court workout, and sitting down for meetings with coach Doug Christie and other staffers. Not only that, he also met with General Manager Scott Perry for an hour back in late August. Every report, from inside the Kings organization to Team Australia officials who saw Simmons at a players-only minicamp last month, confirms the 30-year-old has looked and felt “strong health-wise.” It’s clear Sacramento did their homework, and Simmons definitely brought his A-game to prove he’s ready.
Kings Won the Battle, But Can Simmons Win His Season?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: Sacramento wasn’t the only squad chasing Simmons. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that league sources had some *heavy hitters* in the mix, specifically the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. Yeah, you read that right. Two bona fide playoff-caliber teams were trying to land him, and the Kings swooped in! Simmons, who’s already banked a cool $203 million over his career, is projected to slot in as a serviceable backup. But let’s not kid ourselves: for him, this isn’t just about being a backup. After taking a full year off, this season is absolutely critical for the *entire remainder* of his NBA career. He’s got to show everyone he still belongs. The Kings aren’t exactly being picked to be among the league’s top teams this season, but bringing in Simmons, even as a backup, adds some seriously valuable, experienced depth to their roster. Plus, don’t forget, Domantas Sabonis is a player to watch as the season gets closer, with a possible trade floating out there. You know Simmons is rolling into this season with a chip on his shoulder, especially after securing this deal with Sacramento over those two major contenders.
So, as the NBA season approaches, every single person who loves the game is going to have their eyes glued to Simmons. Can he really shake off the rust, stay healthy, and reclaim even a piece of that All-Star form we all remember? It’s a low-risk, potentially massive-reward gamble for Sacramento, and you can bet he’s going to come out swinging to prove his worth. Get ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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