Ben Simmons, the former No 1 overall draft pick, has agreed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, marking a significant step in his bid to resurrect his NBA career. The Melbourne-born guard will join the Kings for the 2026-27 season on a contract worth US$3.5m (AU$4.9m), returning after sitting out the entire 2025-26 campaign to rehabilitate back and leg injuries that have hampered him in recent years.
Simmons' return to the court
Simmons, who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025, celebrated his move on social media on Saturday morning (AEST) by posting a photograph of himself wearing a Kings cap. The deal not only reignites his NBA career but also boosts his chances of being selected for the Australian Boomers for next year's Fiba World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Boomers, coached by Washington Wizards assistant and former NBL guard Adam Caporn, are aiming for a podium finish after their breakthrough bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago. Simmons spent his year out of basketball rebuilding his body and gathered momentum during a Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne last month.
Career highlights and setbacks
Simmons was drafted as the No 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 but missed his entire first season with a foot injury. He went on to establish himself as one of the league's brightest young stars, claiming 2017-18 rookie of the year honours and earning two All-Defensive selections before further injuries derailed his career.
He has not played more than 58 games in a season since 2018-19. In 383 career games (344 starts) with the 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Clippers, Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Kings' outlook and competition for his signature
Simmons reportedly attracted serious attention from the reigning champion New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors before opting for Sacramento. The Kings open the NBA pre-season at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on 5 October and visit the Clippers for their regular-season opener on 21 October.
The Kings finished 22-60 last season, placing 14th in the Western Conference. They have reached the playoffs only once since 2006, suffering a first-round loss to Golden State in 2023, and have not won a playoff series since 2004. Simmons' arrival is seen as a potential boost for the franchise as they seek to end that drought.
