Ben Simmons Signs One-Year NBA Deal with Sacramento Kings

Ben Simmons is returning to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, a move that gives the former No. 1 draft pick another chance to revive his career.

The Melbourne-born guard agreed to a one-year contract worth US$3.5 million, or about A$4.9 million. He missed the entire 2025-26 season while rehabilitating back and leg injuries that have affected him in recent years.

Simmons last played in April 2025 for the Los Angeles Clippers. He marked the Kings deal on social media on Saturday morning Australian Eastern Standard Time by posting a photograph of himself wearing a team cap. The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors had also reportedly shown serious interest before he chose Sacramento.

The signing could also reopen the path to Australian Boomers selection for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Simmons built momentum during a Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne last month after spending his year away from basketball rebuilding his body.

Simmons played for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2017 to 2021, the Brooklyn Nets from 2022 to 2025, and the Clippers from 2024 to 2025. Philadelphia selected him first overall in 2016. He won Rookie of the Year in 2017-18 and earned two All-Defensive selections, but injuries later disrupted his progress. He has not played more than 58 games in a season since 2018-19.

He has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 career games, including 344 starts. Sacramento will open its preseason at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5 before visiting the Clippers for its regular-season opener on October 21.