Ben Simmons returns to the NBA, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings.

September 5th - According to ESPN , three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has reached a one-year, $ 3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings.

Simmons missed the entire 2025-26 season last year due to persistent back and leg injuries . The 30- year-old Simmons is 2.08 meters tall and weighs about 109 kilograms. He has recently recovered well and impressed the team's management and coaching staff during his tryout with the Sacramento Kings.

Simmons had previously traveled to Sacramento for a full physical and completed on-court practice. The Kings ultimately decided to sign him and plan to have him serve as a backup point guard for rookie Darius Akuf , while also utilizing his versatile skills to play him from point guard to center .

The Kings finished the season with a 22-60 record , tied for the worst in the Western Conference. The team waived DeMar DeRozan in the offseason and did not re-sign Russell Westbrook , leaving a gap in their backcourt. Ben Simmons' arrival will bring experience in playmaking, rebounding, and defense.

Simmons was the number one overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team in 2020. In his NBA career to date, he has played 383 regular season games for the 76ers , Nets, and Clippers , averaging 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Image source: Internet