Ben Simmons Joins Sacramento Kings on One-Year Deal

Ben Simmons has agreed to a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, giving the former No. 1 overall draft pick an opportunity to return to the NBA after a full season away. Australian Associated Press reported that the deal is worth US$3.5 million and covers the 2026-27 campaign.

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The Melbourne-born guard did not play during the 2025-26 season while rehabilitating back and leg injuries. His most recent NBA appearance came with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025. Simmons acknowledged the Kings move on social media by posting a photograph of himself wearing a Sacramento cap, according to the report.

Sacramento will become the fourth NBA team of Simmons' career. Philadelphia selected him first overall in the 2016 draft, but a foot injury kept him out for his entire first season. He later established himself with the 76ers before playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Clippers.

Simmons earned Rookie of the Year honors for the 2017-18 season and twice received All-Defensive recognition. Injuries have since interrupted his career, and he has not appeared in more than 58 games in any season since 2018-19. Across 383 NBA games, including 344 starts, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals.

His return attempt gathered momentum at an Australian Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne last month. Australian Associated Press also reported that the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors had shown serious interest before Simmons chose Sacramento. A successful comeback could improve his prospects of joining Australia for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, though no national-team place has been confirmed.

Simmons joins a Kings team seeking a sharp improvement after finishing 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record last season. Sacramento has reached the playoffs only once since 2006 and has not won a postseason series since 2004. The Kings are scheduled to begin preseason play at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5 before opening the regular season at the Clippers on October 21.