Ben Simmons is back in the NBA after a year away, signing a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings that gives him a chance to rebuild his career and the team a veteran playmaker as it tries to recover from a dismal season. The move, confirmed by ESPN’s Shams Charania, is notable both for what it offers Sacramento today and for the risks tied to Simmons’s recent injury history.
According to the report, the deal is for $3.5 million and comes after Simmons completed a series of workouts and medical checks in Sacramento. The Kings, who went 22-60 last season, are betting a modest salary on a player whose presence could change their on-court profile if his health holds up.
Simmons missed all of last season while rehabbing persistent back and leg issues. He had earlier missed his initial NBA season after a foot injury and sat out the entire 2021-22 campaign amid a prolonged holdout and subsequent back problems. This latest contract follows a period in which Simmons participated fully in a minicamp with the Australian national team — a development that helped convince teams he might be ready for a return.
How Sacramento evaluated him
The Kings arranged an on-court workout and an extensive medical evaluation before extending the offer. Team officials said the decision factored in both what Simmons can bring immediately and the minimal financial commitment of a one-year deal. Medical clearance was central to the talks; Sacramento made the agreement only after reviewing results from the exam and the workout.
On paper, Simmons’s impact is clear: over his career he has averaged around 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and he has shown defensive versatility with roughly 1.5 steals a night. In playoff action, his numbers remain comparable, highlighting his ability to contribute across multiple categories.
- Contract: One year, $3.5 million (reported)
- Source: ESPN’s Shams Charania
- Recent status: Spent last season rehabbing back and leg injuries
- Tryout evidence: Full participation at Australia minicamp; Kings workout and medical clearance
- Career averages: ~13.1 PTS, 7.4 REB, 7.2 AST
The signing comes at a low financial risk for Sacramento but carries obvious conditionality. If Simmons returns to form, he could provide an experienced ball-handler and rim protector who facilitates offense and stabilizes transition defense. If his body limits him or he needs a long ramp-up, the Kings can move on after a single season without a major cap hit.
What this means for the Kings
Sacramento finished last in the Pacific Division and endured multiple extended losing streaks, including a 16-game slide that defined the season. The front office now faces the challenge of assembling a roster that can both develop young players and compete—an objective that sometimes conflicts with signing veterans with uncertain health.
For coaches, Simmons’s arrival creates lineup decisions: whether to pair him with the team’s primary scorers as a lead initiator, or to use him in a limited, matchup-driven role to maximize his defensive strengths while protecting his body. Either path depends heavily on his conditioning and ability to play consistent minutes.
From a broader lens, the move underscores a trend of low-risk veteran signings in free agency cycles: teams with roster gaps are increasingly willing to offer short deals to players who can still change a game if healthy.
Timeline and next steps for Simmons are likely to be cautious. Expect a measured ramp-up in training camp and preseason as medical staff monitor workload and durability. The Kings, meanwhile, will use early practices and exhibition games to see how Simmons fits stylistically and whether he can sustain the minutes needed to influence the regular season.
Ultimately, this signing addresses an immediate staffing need for Sacramento while leaving room to reassess after one season. For Simmons, it is a clear opportunity to reestablish himself in the league — but one that will be judged first and foremost on his availability and performance on the court.
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