The Sacramento Kings are bringing Ben Simmons back to the NBA. Simmons and the Kings have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.
Simmons is a former No. 1 overall pick and three-time NBA All Star. Now 30, he did not play in the 2025-26 season following a string of injuries.
The 6’10’’ point guard was selected with the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He missed his first season with a foot injury and then won rookie of the year the following year. He would then go on to make three All Star teams in a row and became one of the league’s best defenders. His time with the 76ers came apart after the 2021 NBA playoffs. He gained a reputation for being unwilling to shoot the ball at times. which reports indicated might have been related to him being focused on efficiency.
From 2021 and on, recurring back problems have limited his career during his time with the Brooklyn Nets and last stint with the Log Angeles Clippers in 2024-25. He did not play last season in order to rehabilitate from injuries. While out of the NBA, he got involved in pro fishing.
Simmons’ career averages are 13.1 points, 7.2 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He averaged 55% from the field and 13% from three. Granted, he has only ever taken 36 threes in his entire career and hasn’t attempted one since the 2022-23 season. The 2020-21 season was the last time he played at least 58 games in a season.
Simmons now slots in as the backup point guard to Darius Acuff Jr.