Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento Kings are giving Ben Simmons another opportunity to continue his NBA career. On September 4, 2026, Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Sacramento, marking his return to the NBA after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season.
For Simmons, the signing represents a fresh start after a difficult stretch that has included injuries and limited playing time. The Kings are bringing in a veteran who has already experienced the highs of being an NBA All-Star and will now look to make an impact in Sacramento.
From No. 1 Pick to All-Star – Simmons entered the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers out of LSU. After missing the 2016-17 season because of a foot injury, Simmons made his NBA debut the following year and won Rookie of the Year for the 2017-18 season.
The Australian guard quickly became one of the league’s most recognizable young players. Simmons was selected to three consecutive All-Star Games, while also earning two All-Defensive Team selections and one All-NBA selection during his time in Philadelphia.
A Difficult Road – Simmons’ career took a turn following his time with the 76ers, eventually leading to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022. After dealing with injuries and appearing in just 90 games across parts of three seasons in Brooklyn, Simmons joined the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season.
His most recent NBA season came in 2024-25, when he played 51 games between the Nets and Clippers. Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists while playing 22.0 minutes per game.
A Year Away From the NBA – Simmons did not play during the 2025-26 season as he dealt with back and leg issues and worked toward getting back on the court. His last NBA appearance came with the Clippers during their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in April 2025.
Despite the recent struggles, Simmons still has impressive numbers across his career. In 383 regular-season games, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
What Simmons Brings to the Kings – At 6-foot-10, Simmons gives Sacramento a unique combination of size, passing ability and defensive versatility. He is expected to provide depth behind rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., while also having the ability to share the count with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Kings are adding Simmons to a roster that can use another experienced ball-handler and defender. After spending a full season away from the NBA, Simmons will now have the opportunity to show what he can still bring to the court.
A Royal Reset – There is plenty of history behind Simmons’ arrival in Sacramento, but the Kings are focused on what he can provide moving forward. A one-year deal gives Simmons a chance to return to the NBA, while Sacramento gets an experienced former All-Star looking to make the most of another opportunity.
Now, the next chapter of Simmons’ career will take place in Sacramento. After a long road back to the NBA, the former No. 1 pick has a new team, a new opportunity and a chance to begin what could be another important chapter in his career.
