Ben Simmons is officially headed back to the NBA, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc Spears broke the news, confirming what many wondered if we’d ever see again from the former top pick.
The Long, Grueling Road Back to the Court
Remember when Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft? He looked like he was on his way to an outstanding career with the Philadelphia 76ers. Man, those were the days. But since the 2020-21 season, injuries have just hammered him, severely limiting his time on the court. He’s been held to 60 or fewer games every single year since then, and famously, he missed the entirety of the 2021-22 season. His most recent court appearance was in 2024-25, where he managed to play 51 games for the Nets and Clippers. Even then, his stats were a far cry from his early career: 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. After that season, he vanished from the league, not signing with any team for the 2025-26 campaign.
It wasn’t a silent departure, though. Simmons made it clear he wasn’t just walking away. Back in December, he told The Athletic’s Sam Jane that he didn’t want to return to the court until he felt “bulletproof.” That’s a strong statement, right? Then in June, Simmons doubled down, telling Clay Skipper of Men’s Health, “I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed.” He even openly floated Miami and Philadelphia as possible landing spots, saying, “Maybe I’ll go back to Philly. Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami,I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.” Instead, he made the trek to Sacramento. On Monday, he underwent in-depth medical exams, an on-court workout, and met with coach Doug Christie and other staffers. General Manager Scott Perry also met with Simmons for an hour after a workout in late August, showing just how thorough the Kings’ vetting process was for this comeback.
A Risky Bet to Fill the Kings’ Void
So, what are the Kings actually getting for their $3.5 million? Let’s be real, Simmons is no longer the All-Star caliber player he once was, and Sacramento isn’t looking for that guy. They need depth, and he certainly brings a player capable of playing anywhere on the floor. The Kings probably aren’t looking for Simmons to be a primary scorer, but he’s still adept at finding the open man as a passer. More importantly, he provides much-needed size on defense, which is always a premium in the NBA. Plus, he’s an affordable option that still has some upside, making it a low-risk, potentially high-reward gamble.
The Kings have been absolutely desperate for floor generals ever since they traded De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. That’s a massive hole to fill, and Simmons definitely steps in to address that major void for them, especially alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. It’s hard to say whether this addition makes Sacramento any more of a contender for the big prize, but you have to admit, he at least gives them a more complete roster. Can Simmons truly live up to that “bulletproof” claim he made? The entire league is watching to see if this comeback story has a Hollywood ending for the Kings, or if the injuries will once again derail a promising career.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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