Ben Simmons Joins Kings on $3.5M Deal After Missing 2025-26 Season

Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings on Friday following a successful medical exam.

Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie have reached an agreement with three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons on a one-year, $3.5 million contract. The deal, confirmed Friday by agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe, and Ryan Arney, marks the return of the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder to the league after he missed the entire 2025-26 season to rehabilitate back and leg injuries. Simmons last appeared in an NBA game on April 29, 2025, during Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round while playing for the LA Clippers against the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings, who finished last season with a 22-60 record to tie for the worst mark in the Western Conference, intend to utilize Simmons as a versatile asset capable of playing positions one through five. The organization specifically expects him to serve as the backup point guard for rookie Darius Acuff Jr. This roster move follows the July waiver of DeMar DeRozan and the departure of free agent Russell Westbrook, which left a significant vacancy in the Sacramento backcourt.

Medical Clearances and Miami Workouts

Simmons secured the contract after a series of evaluations that began in late August with an hourlong meeting and workout for Scott Perry in Miami. This was followed by a visit to Sacramento on Monday, where the Melbourne, Australia native underwent an in-depth medical exam and an on-court workout at the team's practice facility. During this visit, Simmons met with the full coaching staff and impressed Christie with his physical readiness. These sessions followed his full participation in an early August minicamp with the Australia men's basketball national team, a performance that initially boosted his market value.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors expressed interest in Simmons, their inquiries were limited to potential training camp invites. Sacramento remained the only franchise to offer a guaranteed contract. A source indicated that Simmons believes the Kings organization will provide the necessary support for his comeback. In July, the 30-year-old told Andscape he felt his health had reached its highest level in years.

Career Statistics and Recent Performance

Simmons brings a career average of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals across 383 regular-season games. His professional history includes stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and LA Clippers. After a buyout from the Nets on February 8, 2025, he joined the Clippers for 18 games, where he averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in limited minutes while hampered by back issues.

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft out of LSU has earned significant accolades, including the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award and a 2020 NBA All-Defensive first-team selection. However, his career has been marked by absences, including the 2016-17 season due to a foot injury and the entire 2021-22 season during a contract holdout and mental health concerns.

Off-Court Ventures and Ownership

During his recent hiatus from professional basketball, Simmons diversified his interests by entering sports ownership. In December 2025, he purchased a 50% ownership stake in the South Florida Sails, a professional angling club. He currently serves as the controlling operator of that team. Now shifting his focus back to the court, the veteran aims to capitalize on his remaining prime years as a high-upside reclamation project for a rebuilding Sacramento roster.