Ben Simmons’ career is off life support with the Australian finally finding a new home almost 18 months since his most recent NBA appearance.
Tyson Otto and AFP
Ben Simmons’ career is off life support with the Australian’s NBA exile coming to an end on Friday night.
The Sacramento Kings are yet to confirm details of their huge recruitment gamble, however, multiple reports claim Simmons has signed a $3.5 million deal to join the battling franchise.
Simmons, who missed last season with nagging back injuries, agreed on a one-year comeback deal that gives the 30-year-old one final chance at cementing his place in the world’s best basketball league.
The hybrid point guard was the top pick in the 2016 draft by Philadelphia but missed the 2016-17 campaign with a broken right foot only to earn the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Simmons last played in the NBA in early 2025 as a reserve with the Los Angeles Clippers but ESPN and The Athletic reported he has come to terms on a deal worth $3.5 million with the Kings, who were reportedly impressed with his performance at a workout this week.
He will likely serve as a backup for rookie guard Darius Acuff, the seventh pick in last June’s draft, as well as a possible fill-in at other roster positions.
Simmons averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game over eight NBA seasons, producing his best numbers with the 76ers before sitting out the 2021-22 campaign then being traded to Brooklyn, where he struggled and was waived in 2025 before finishing the season with the Clippers.
Simmons boosted interest from clubs last month after a strong training camp with the Australian national team.
The Kings were 22-60 last season and dropped guards DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook in the off-season.
Sacramento have reached the playoffs only once since 2006, suffering a first-round loss to Golden State in 2023.
The Kings last won a playoff series in 2004 and the franchise won its lone NBA title in 1951 as the Rochester Royals, their 75 years since reaching the NBA Finals a dubious league record.
It will be interesting to see if a year away from the sport will help Simmons the shooting issues that plagued him in his career — often seeming unwilling to shoot anything beyond a layup.
Simmons stepped away from the NBA last season and purchased a controlling share in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, which is a part of the Sport Fishing Championship.
