Ben Simmons’ Kings contract reportedly non-guaranteed, with $1 million at stake

Ben Simmons is officially a member of the Kings. Staying one will apparently be up to him.

Simmons signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract worth up to $3.5 million, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto reports that Simmons will earn $1 million if he makes Sacramento’s opening-night roster.

So while the former No. 1 overall pick has completed his NBA comeback in one sense, he still has some work to do.

The Kings officially signed Simmons earlier this week after he sat out the entire 2025-26 season. The 30-year-old had been working toward a return throughout the summer, including workouts for Sacramento before the two sides reached an agreement.

Simmons is a three-time All-Star and former All-NBA and All-Defensive selection, though injuries have dramatically altered the trajectory of his career. He last appeared in the NBA with the Clippers in 2024-25.

Sacramento selected Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick in June and had been searching for a veteran guard to add to the mix. Simmons gives the Kings size, passing and defensive versatility, assuming he proves healthy enough to stick.

And now we know there’s very little financial risk involved. In other words, the Kings aren’t betting $3.5 million that Simmons can become something resembling his old self. They’re giving him a chance to show them first.

For Simmons, that’s probably all he could ask for at this stage. The comeback has begun. Making it through training camp is the next part.