Ben Simmons signs one-year deal with Sacramento Kings
Former Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has agreed to a veteran-minimum contract with the Sacramento Kings after a year away from the court.
Australian guard Ben Simmons has signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, according to team sources. The deal was announced on Friday after Simmons completed a physical and workout for the franchise.
Simmons, who last appeared in an NBA game during the 2025 playoffs with the Los Angeles Clippers, spent the 2025-26 season away from competition, focusing on recovery and conditioning. In a June interview, he said he needed time away to regain his athleticism and expressed a desire to return to the court as soon as possible.
The Kings, who finished the 2025-26 season with 22 wins, are expected to use Simmons as a backup point guard and a versatile depth option across multiple positions. ESPN analyst Marc Spears described the signing as a "high-upside reclamation project" for a player who still has years left in his prime.
The Kings also hold the seventh pick in the upcoming 2026 draft, where they selected forward Darius Acuff Jr. The team’s roster includes veterans Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, and the organization is addressing off-court matters, including a pending pregnancy discrimination lawsuit involving former coach Doug Christie.
The Knicks and Warriors were reportedly interested in Simmons before he chose Sacramento.