Why Ben Simmons, Sacramento Kings are exactly what each other need

Ben Simmons needed a team, any NBA team, willing to give him one more chance.

The Sacramento Kings needed a player, any player, to fill out a 2026-27 roster that, until Sept. 4, had not added a free agent from outside the organization this offseason.

In that way, the Kings always made sense as the landing spot for Simmons’ NBA comeback attempt. Only a team searching for answers would think the 2016 No. 1 pick can still provide value after sitting out last season and dabbling in professional fishing. Only a desperate veteran would volunteer to join the current salary cap woes and lack of direction the Kings are enduring under current owner Vivek Ranadivé.

Simmons signed with the Kings on Friday, Sept. 4, according to multiple reports. This will be his 10th NBA season, but only his eighth playing in games as injuries and contract issues cost him two full seasons.

Here’s why Simmons could revive his NBA career in Sacramento and why it still might not work:

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NBA: Amen Thompson gets huge contract extension with Rockets

Ben Simmons contract details

Simmons is signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings, according to ESPN.

How Ben Simmons fits with the Kings

The Kings were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season because of their awkward roster. Sacramento has an odd mix of expensive veterans and overlapping young players with not enough salary cap space or positive assets to maneuver much from their current situation. But the version of Simmons that played in Brooklyn could help the Kings because of his defensive versatility.

The Kings have front court players like Domantas Sabonis and Maxime Raynaud with defensive limitations who could, in theory, benefit from being paired with Simmons for stretches on the court. They also have personnel suited for the up tempo style that suits Simmons’ point-forward tendencies. He can leverage his strengths as a ball-handler and transition playmaker in relief of 2026 first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr. because the Kings don’t need Simmons to be a primary offensive option.

If Simmons returns as something resembling the player who was twice named to the NBA’s all-defensive team, the 6-foot-10 forward would become a useful role player even if his lack of outside shooting is a liability.

Sacramento Kings roster update after Ben Simmons signing

*2026 NBA Draft pick**2-way player

Ben Simmons injury history

Simmons’ health has been an issue since he entered the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and sat out his first season with a foot injury. He also sat out the entire 2021-22 NBA campaign due to a back injury and contract dispute. The 2024-25 season was the only campaign since then in which Simmons appeared in more than 50 games, as back and knee injuries repeatedly limited his availability.

Why Ben Simmons’ shooting remains a concern

Though Simmons twice averaged more than 16 points per game early in his career with the 76ers, he is a notoriously poor (and hesitant) shooter from outside the paint. He’s just 5 for 36 over seven seasons from 3-point range and his reluctance to shoot the ball when teams back off him defensively became a problem during Philadelphia’s postseason runs. He shot a career-worst 52% from the floor on a career-low 4.4 attempts per game during his most recent NBA season with the Nets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25.

Ben Simmons stats

Simmons has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game over seven seasons. When he last played in the NBA over 51 combined games for the Nets and Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season, Simmons set career lows by averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds.

Simmons is a three-time NBA All-Star who won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned third team all-NBA honors for the 2019-20 season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Ben Simmons, Sacramento Kings are exactly what each other need