Halis Sunnetci
04 September 2026•Update: 04 September 2026
Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed to join the Sacramento Kings on a one-year deal, his agents told ESPN on Friday.
The contract is worth $3.5 million, according to the report.
The agreement marks the 30-year-old Australian’s return to the NBA after he missed the entire 2025-26 season while rehabilitating lingering back and leg injuries.
According to ESPN, Simmons visited Sacramento on Monday and underwent an extensive medical examination and on-court workout before meeting head coach Doug Christie and other members of the Kings’ staff.
The report said Sacramento expects Simmons to serve as a backup point guard to rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and contribute across multiple positions.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Simmons with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft out of Louisiana State University.
After missing his first season because of a foot injury, he was named the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year and earned three consecutive All-Star selections from 2019 to 2021.
Simmons was also selected to an All-NBA team once and named twice to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
His career has been disrupted by injuries and other health issues in recent years.
Simmons split the 2024-25 season between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging five points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 51 games.
He has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 regular-season games during his NBA career.