Ben Simmons is officially back on an NBA roster, and he did not hold back when longtime veteran Patrick Beverley tried to throw shade at his comeback. Simmons pushed back hard after Beverley went public, citing players like Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Thomas as still searching for an NBA team while Simmons landed a deal after a whole year out of the league. Simmons hit back with a comment on Instagram, making it crystal clear he earned this spot, not got a handout.
The “No Handout” Truth Bomb
Simmons’ response was raw, real, and straight to the point. He directly challenged the idea that he just waltzed back into the league. “Walk away….?? 😂😂😂I played two years not physically right,” he wrote. “This ain’t no hand out. I worked my ass off to be in this position…. And I’m very grateful to even be in position to play the game I f—king love! Yall will continue to make up stories for your own benefits and that’s more telling about who yall are.” That’s the kind of passion you love to see from a guy fighting to get back on the court. He sat out the entire 2025-26 season, with his last appearance being way back on April 29, 2025, in a playoff game for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Denver Nuggets. It’s a long road back from that, and Simmons isn’t letting anyone minimize the grind.
Kings’ Low-Risk Bet on Versatility
Simmons is joining the Sacramento Kings on a one-year deal, and honestly, it looks like a smart play for them. He’s coming in on a veteran minimum, which means there’s almost zero risk for the Kings. If he plays well and becomes a useful contributor, they’re getting a steal. If it doesn’t pan out, they can move on without any real financial hit. This isn’t Simmons stepping in to be *the* guy like he once was. The Kings already have Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 pick from the 2026 draft, penciled in as the starting point guard. Acuff Jr. is gonna have his growing pains, that’s just how it goes with rookies.
Even if Simmons isn’t the all-around star point guard he used to be, his court vision can still organize an offense, especially in transition. Plus, his size gives head coach Doug Christie some serious versatility to use him in other spots. That kind of flexibility is huge when you’re trying to piece together a competitive roster for the 2026-27 season.
What’s next for Simmons is proving that work ethic and passion translates back onto the court. He’s got the opportunity with the Kings, and the NBA season is just around the corner. Can he silence the critics and truly make good on that comeback? We’re all watching to see.
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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