{"id":466003,"date":"2026-09-16T21:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/466003\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T21:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:16:15","slug":"the-ben-simmons-signing-has-sacramento-kings-fans-divided-the-lead-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/466003\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ben Simmons Signing Has Sacramento Kings Fans Divided \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the morning of Sept. 4, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Kings\u00a0agreed to sign former three-time All-Star\u00a0Ben Simmons<\/a> to\u00a0a veteran minimum deal. The Kings announced the signing on the morning of Sept. 8.<\/p>\n

Just in: Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and @MarcJSpears<\/a>. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26. pic.twitter.com\/xj5X7lr3op<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Reception to the Kings Signing Simmons<\/p>\n

This sounds like great news if you knew nothing about basketball, right? But Ben Simmons\u2019 career has been a\u2026 bumpy ride, to say the least. Many Kings fans are making sure people remember that.<\/p>\n

Many fans argue that signing an injury-prone 30-year-old isn\u2019t the right move for a rebuilding Kings team. Others argue this is a low-risk, high-reward move. They preach that Simmons could have a career resurgence into the player everyone thought he could be, or at the very least, can become an asset for this team.<\/p>\n

Other Options for Sacramento<\/p>\n

Recent\u00a0reports<\/a> about the Kings suggest\u00a0they were looking for a veteran guard. A mentor for Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr.<\/a> was a prime target in this year\u2019s free agency.<\/p>\n

According to a variety of sources, it was down to a couple of players, including Cam Payne, Elfrid Payton<\/a>, Victor Oladipo<\/a>, and, obviously, Ben Simmons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When you think about it, it is clear who the pick should be. Kings GM Scott Perry nailed it. When you look at some of these other players\u2019 recent stats, they pale in comparison.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take Victor Oladipo, for example: his numbers with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League last year aren\u2019t ideal. He averaged 13.5 points per game, yet only shot 38.9 percent from the field and .329 percent from three, in about 30 minutes per game in each of the 15 games he played. That makes it clear he is not in as good a position, basketball-wise, as Simmons. Simmons, who still averaged above 5 in each of the three major categories in his most recent season, remains a valuable asset for teams when he plays efficiently.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Clear, Honest Perspective<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0in an\u00a0article by Jason Jones<\/a> of The Athletic, Simmons should not be expected to mentor\u00a0any of the \u201cyoung\u201d Kings. This suggests Simmons was signed to be more than just a veteran mentor.<\/p>\n

Remembering that Simmons can be more than a point guard for Sacramento is key to the signing. Even considering all the gripes one can have about him, he is arguably the most versatile player in the entire NBA.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A wings-room of Keegan Murray<\/a>, Deandre Hunter, and Ben Simmons doesn\u2019t look so bad on paper. This is also a low-stakes situation for Simmons in Sacramento. In a place like New York, though, the pressure would be immense. With this being a minimal-pressure situation for Ben, it could secretly be what unlocks him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If it all works out in Sacramento, Marc J. Spears has reported that Simmons is interested in staying long-term.<\/p>\n

What Simmons Means to Sacramento Right Now<\/p>\n

In reality, Sacramento is signing a former Rookie of the Year and All-NBA player. He could easily be the best defender and passer on the team when he walks through those doors. It is a no-lose transaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should we take a flyer on a young guy or two? Maybe sign a more suitable veteran mentor for Darius Acuff? Yes, of course, these are things Scott Perry should look at. The good news is there is still more than a month of the offseason available to finalize this roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Simmons could be the veteran player who\u2019s perfect for the Kings, and Sacramento might be the perfect place for Ben.<\/p>\n