Ben Simmons returning to NBA with Kings on one-year deal

Ben Simmons is officially headed back to the NBA.

The former No. 1 overall pick has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings, his agents told ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears. It’s a veteran-minimum deal for Simmons, 30, who didn’t play at all last season while spending time away from the game and working to get healthy.

Now Sacramento is giving him another shot. According to Charania, Simmons worked out for Kings general manager Scott Perry in late August and met with him for about an hour. He then traveled to Sacramento earlier this week for another workout, met with coach Doug Christie and underwent what Charania described as “in-depth” medical examinations.

Apparently, the Kings liked what they saw. Simmons was once one of the NBA’s more unique players, earning three All-Star selections and twice making the All-Defensive first team. Back problems eventually derailed his career, limiting him to 90 games during his time with the Nets before he finished the 2024-25 season with the Clippers.

Sacramento drafted point guard Darius Acuff Jr. seventh overall this summer and had been searching for a veteran to play behind and help mentor the rookie.

Simmons will apparently get that opportunity. The Knicks and Warriors also showed some level of interest, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

For $3.5 million, there’s not much downside for Sacramento. If Simmons is actually healthy and can give the Kings even a portion of what he once did, there could be quite a bit of upside.