September 4, 2026 • 12:02 PM EDT
Updated 2 hours ago
If you were hoping to see Ben Simmons back in the league, you got your wish. Sacramento just snapped him up on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, the veteran minimum. After a full season out of the NBA—no games, just a lot of deep sea fishing and even a stake in a sport fishing franchise—Simmons is ready to slot back in as an NBA point guard. Sacramento clearly thinks he still has something left in the tank.
The Kings were searching for a backup who could offer more than just steady hands. They wanted someone who could mentor their rookie, Darius Acuff, while coming in to run the offense and bring some defensive grit when called upon. On the surface, Simmons fits that brief, but he’s an unconventional pick considering his rollercoaster career and recent injury history.
According to Yahoo Sports, Simmons didn’t step on an NBA floor last season. He spent his time away getting healthy and, by all reports, participated in an Australian national team minicamp. He’s the sort of player who lights up social media every offseason with workout videos, but those hype clips haven’t always translated to regular-season success. Still, Sacramento’s front office has watched him play meaningful minutes before, and they clearly think he’s got enough left to help their young group.
The last time Simmons played was the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Nets and the Clippers. His averages were far from eye-popping: just 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 18 games as a Clipper. He was purely a backup, giving good defensive energy and some playmaking, but not much in the way of scoring or outside shooting. He didn’t feature in the Clippers’ playoff rotation, but the Kings are less interested in gaudy stats than steady backup production and mentoring Acuff along the way.
But this isn’t all upside. Simmons has a known history with back problems. Since the 2021-22 campaign, he’s missed plenty of action and had multiple surgeries trying to get right. While he was relatively healthy in his recent NBA stint, Sacramento is betting big that he can keep his body together for another year. That’s a risk, especially for a guy who relies on mobility and size to be effective defensively.
This signing comes after Sacramento explored other options. The Kings talked to Russell Westbrook, who ultimately chose retirement over a bench role. They also explored Victor Oladipo and had names like Gabe Vincent and Cameron Payne floating around. After weighing everything, Sacramento decided Simmons was their man—even if the deal’s guarantee status is still up in the air.
Why Simmons to the Kings Is Worth Watching
Sacramento rolling the dice on Simmons tells you where their focus is: they need veteran steadiness behind their rookie, and they want a guy who can defend and handle in short bursts. Any scoring is a bonus. Simmons’ last NBA run showed his defensive value and ability to run a bench unit, even if he will never fill it up from deep.
- Simmons joins on a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum contract
- No NBA action last season—spent time in sport fishing and training with Australia
- Last played for Nets/Clippers, gave helpful defense but minimal stats
- Potential mentor role with rookie Darius Acuff as Kings needed backup PG
- Ongoing back issues and previous surgeries bring risk
- Alternative options considered: Westbrook (retired), Oladipo, Vincent, Payne
- No confirmation yet if the deal is fully guaranteed
The Kings’ Expectations for Simmons
Essentially, the Kings don’t need Simmons to be a starter, just to mentor Acuff and keep mistakes low in short stints. It’s a calculated shot to stabilise the bench and maybe even squeeze out some old All-Star flashes on occasion.
Key takeaways for bettors and fans
- Sacramento’s faith in Simmons highlights Acuff’s importance and their need for a steady hand off the bench.
- Simmon’s injury history is a genuine concern—don’t bank on heavy minutes.
- This deal likely puts Simmons as a backup only, with upside if healthy.
- Sacramento passed on other vets, opting for Simmons’ defense and playmaking over scoring.
- The deal’s guarantee status matters for fantasy and roster depth projections.
- If Simmons holds up physically, he could provide stability rarely found in veteran minimum deals.
- Monitor Simmons’ health reports in preseason before setting betting or fantasy expectations.
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