Kings sign Ben Simmons to one-year deal for comeback attempt

The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, according to an ESPN report on Friday. The three-time NBA All-Star did not play at all last season while rehabilitating persistent back and leg injuries.

Simmons, now 30, has been publicly discussing a potential return to the league this offseason. Last month, he traveled to Melbourne to take part in a player-led minicamp for the Australian national team. Simmons has not suited up for Australia since 2013 and has missed the last three Olympic cycles for various reasons.

His most recent NBA action came during the 2024-25 season, split between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. Over 51 total games that year, his averages were modest.

Sacramento's front office has shown interest in Simmons before. Under previous general manager Monte McNair, the Kings reportedly pursued a trade for the former Philadelphia 76ers star at the 2022 deadline but ultimately moved in a different direction. Shortly after the Kings acquired Domantas Sabonis in a deal that sent Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana, the 76ers traded Simmons to Brooklyn for James Harden. Since being traded from Philadelphia, the team that drafted him in 2016, Simmons has played in only 108 games across four seasons.

Kings' Late-Offseason Pattern

This marks the second straight offseason where Sacramento has signed a former All-Star well after the initial free agency frenzy. Last year, the team added Russell Westbrook right before training camp to bolster a thin point guard rotation. With Westbrook retiring this summer, the Kings again found themselves needing backcourt depth with camp approaching.

The team drafted Darius Acuff Jr. With the seventh overall pick, and the rookie is projected to be the opening-night starter. However, proven depth behind him is scarce. Malik Monk is the only player on the current roster with experience playing spot minutes at point guard in recent seasons.

This context makes the Simmons signing a logical, low-risk move for the Kings, even though he hasn't played in nearly 18 months. The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors also considered signing Simmons before he reached terms with Sacramento.

A Low-Risk Gamble for Sacramento

The structure of the deal minimizes risk for the franchise. Simmons is joining on a veteran minimum contract. If he rehabilitates his value as a backup, he could become a trade asset at the deadline or command a larger deal next summer. If the experiment fails, the financial commitment is negligible.

Sacramento hopes Simmons can follow the path of Westbrook, who outperformed his minimum deal last season. The 6-foot-10 Simmons has operated as a point forward throughout his career and could provide depth and mentorship for Acuff and the Kings' young core. The franchise is attempting to transition from an old, expensive roster that is expected to struggle in the Western Conference.

A Defining Season for Simmons

Ben Simmons has been one of the league's most polarizing figures over the past decade. His tenure in Philadelphia featured significant highs but ended acrimoniously. Once a consistent triple-double threat with the 76ers, his scoring output and willingness to shoot plummeted dramatically during his time with the Nets and Clippers.

After a full year out of the league, this season represents a critical juncture. His performance and his buy-in to a new role on a non-contending team will likely determine if his professional career continues or ends. How he adapts will decide when the clock finally runs out.