Ben Simmons Signs One-Year, $3.5M Deal with Kings
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The Sacramento Kings have handed Ben Simmons a pathway back to the NBA hardwood, finalizing a one-year contract worth $3.5 million, according to ESPN insiders Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears, who cited the player's representatives Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe, and Ryan Arney. The deal, reported Friday, marks a significant moment for the 29-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, who has been absent from league action since April 29, 2025, when he took the court for the Los Angeles Clippers during their first-round playoff battle against the Denver Nuggets. That appearance, nearly a year ago, was his last in an NBA uniform.
Simmons' journey to Sacramento has been anything but smooth. Drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, he missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury. When he finally debuted, he lived up to the billing, capturing the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year award and earning All-Star nods in each of the next three seasons. He also made two All-Defensive First Teams, showcasing his elite versatility. But the trajectory shifted dramatically after a rocky playoff exit with the Sixers in 2021. Simmons made it clear he had no desire to continue in Philadelphia, holding out until the team traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022, a deal that sent James Harden the other way.
In Brooklyn, Simmons struggled to recapture his form, playing just 90 games across parts of three seasons. The Nets waived him in February 2025, and he finished the year with the Clippers, where his minutes and impact were limited. Over the 2024-25 season, Simmons averaged 5 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games for both the Nets and Clippers. For his career, spanning 383 regular-season contests, he holds averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
In Sacramento, the Kings envision Simmons as a backup to rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr., with the ability to slide into multiple positions. His playmaking and defensive instincts could provide a spark off the bench for a team looking to deepen its rotation. The $3.5 million salary is a fraction of the max contract he once commanded, but it offers Simmons a chance to rebuild his value in a supportive environment.
Article commentary
Ben Simmons' one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings represents a fascinating low-risk, high-reward move for a franchise eager to bolster its depth. At 29, Simmons is still young enough to recapture some of the two-way brilliance that made him a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection. Yet his career has been marred by injuries, mental hurdles, and a dramatic fall from grace after the 2021 playoff meltdown with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Kings are essentially betting a minimal salary cap hit — less than the veteran's minimum exception — that Simmons can contribute as a backup point guard and versatile forward, especially given his playmaking and defensive instincts. What makes this signing intriguing is the context. Simmons hasn't played meaningful NBA basketball in nearly a year, and his last productive stretch was sporadic. The 2024-25 season saw him average just 5 points per game, a far cry from his prime when he was a nightly triple-double threat. However, the Kings are not asking him to be a star; they want him to shore up the second unit alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and provide size, passing, and defense off the bench. If Simmons can stay healthy and regain even a fraction of his former confidence, this contract could be a steal. If not, the financial risk is negligible. From a league-wide perspective, this deal also underscores the shifting market for former top picks who have fallen out of favor. Simmons joins a growing list of players who have accepted low-cost prove-it contracts after high-profile stumbles. The Kings, who have been trying to build a sustainable contender around De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, need every bit of cost-effective talent they can find. The gamble is worth taking, especially given Simmons' age and pedigree. The real question is whether he can overcome the psychological and physical barriers that have derailed his career. Early reports suggest he is motivated and healthy, but the NBA is unforgiving. If Simmons can contribute even 15-20 minutes per game with solid defense and playmaking, the Kings will have pulled off a quiet coup. If not, they lose little more than a few million dollars and a roster spot.