Ben Simmons returns to the NBA — signs with the Sacramento Kings

A comeback after a year away

Former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, 30, is heading back to the NBA. He has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Marc Spears. The deal ends more than a year away from the league — Simmons sat out the entire 2025-26 season while rehabilitating lingering back and leg injuries.

The road to the deal

According to Bleacher Report and Fox Sports, Simmons traveled to Sacramento on Monday for in-depth medical exams and an on-court workout, and met with head coach Doug Christie and other staffers. In late August, he had already worked out for general manager Scott Perry — Fox Sports notes this session took place in Miami, where Perry and Simmons also spent an hour talking afterward. Sacramento ultimately proved to be the only team willing to offer him a contract, though the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors were reportedly interested, and, per HoopsHype, the New York Knicks were also mentioned.

Career and injuries

Simmons was selected first overall in the 2016 NBA draft. He won Rookie of the Year in 2018, made three All-Star teams and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors in 2020. Injuries have taken a heavy toll on his career since then — he missed the entire 2021-22 season and has not played more than 60 games in any season since 2020-21. His most recent season on the court was 2024-25, when he played 51 games across stints with the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. After a buyout and move to the Clippers in February, his numbers dropped to 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 18 games. His last NBA appearance came on April 29, 2025, in Game 5 of the Clippers' first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Across 383 career regular-season games, Simmons averages 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals.

Why Sacramento

In December 2025, Simmons told The Athletic he didn't want to return to the court until he felt "bulletproof," but by June 2026 he confirmed he was working toward an NBA comeback, naming Miami and Philadelphia as possible landing spots. In August, he joined the Australian national team, the Boomers, for a minicamp, where, as Fox Sports reports, he made a strong impression. The Kings finished last season 22-60 and, after trading De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, waiving DeMar DeRozan and not re-signing Russell Westbrook, are short on playmaking. Simmons is expected to back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and offer versatility on both ends of the floor.