Ben Simmons is returning to the NBA after reportedly signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract to join the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Marc Spears and Shams Charania.
He is expected to be a backup point guard for rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
The 30-year-old Simmons last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. After his contract expired following that season, he did not sign anywhere in free agency and reportedly turned down a one-year minimum contract offer from the New York Knicks.
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Simmons had a productive first four NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers where he won Rookie of the Year and averaged double-digits in points. The 2021-22 season saw him hold out and ask to be traded, which led to a move to the Brooklyn Nets.
Back injuries limited Simmons’ time on the court in Brooklyn and he eventually underwent surgery for a herniated disc. He was waived by the Nets in Feb. 2025 and had his contract bought out. Two days later, he signed with the Clippers.
As his NBA future remained in limbo, Simmons was a full participant at a player-led minicamp for the Australian men’s basketball team in August with the 2028 Olympics in his sights.
Not long after that camp, Simmons worked out for Kings general manager Scott Perry in Miami and later flew to Sacramento to visit with head coach Doug Christie and his staff.
Simmons kept busy last season, just not focused solely on basketball. He purchased a controlling stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a professional sports fishing team. In May, the team won the 2026 SFC Walker’s Cay Open Championship.
The 2016 No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive First Team selection. Over 383 career games, he’s averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
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