Kings Sign Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons Agrees to One-Year Deal With the Sacramento Kings
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Key Points
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Simmons missed the entire 2016-17 season because of a foot injury and later sat out the 2021-22 season during a contract dispute with Philadelphia; he has also publicly dealt with mental-health concerns.
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Simmons was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2020, underscoring the defensive pedigree Sacramento hopes he can recover.
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The Kings finished last season with the NBA’s 26th-ranked offense and 28th-ranked defense, highlighting the need for Simmons’ ball handling, positional defense and rebounding.
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Simmons has averaged 7.2 assists per game over his career, and his passing could help accelerate rookie Darius Acuff Jr.’s development even though Simmons is not a traditional point guard.
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The Kings’ backcourt changes also followed the trade of De’Aaron Fox, while the team considered veteran options such as Cameron Payne and Victor Oladipo before choosing Simmons.
Ben Simmons is back in the NBA. The 30-year-old three-time All-Star agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, according to AP, ending a year away from the league due to knee, back and leg injuries. Simmons will back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and provide defense, rebounding and playmaking for a Kings team that finished 22-60 last season.
The Kings pursued Simmons after workouts and medical evaluations, choosing him over other veteran options to reshape a backcourt depleted by departures and injuries. For Simmons, the low-cost deal offers a chance to prove he can again become a reliable rotation piece after missing most of the past two seasons.
A Turbulent Decade for the Former No. 1 Pick
Simmons was drafted first overall in 2016 and won Rookie of the Year in 2018, establishing himself as a unique defender and playmaker. But injuries have plagued his career. He missed the entire 2016-17 season with a foot injury and later sat out 2021-22 during a contract dispute with Philadelphia, according to AP. Over 10 seasons, he has played just 383 regular-season games.
Last season, Simmons appeared in 51 games for the Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. His career average stands at 7.2 assists per game, showcasing the ball-handling skills Sacramento desperately needs. In 2020, he made the NBA All-Defensive First Team, highlighting the defensive pedigree the Kings are banking on.
Sacramento's Desperate Need for Defense and Playmaking
The Kings finished last season with the NBA's 26th-ranked offense and 28th-ranked defense, according to AP. That collapse followed a 22-60 record and the departures of DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook. Sacramento considered veteran options like Cameron Payne and Victor Oladipo before settling on Simmons.
Simmons' versatility across multiple positions could address both ends of the floor. His passing ability and court vision—7.2 career assists per game—can help accelerate rookie Darius Acuff Jr.'s development, even though Simmons is not a traditional point guard. The Kings need both perimeter defense and secondary ball handling to compete in the West.
A Low-Risk Audition for Both Sides
At $3.5 million for one year, the deal carries minimal financial risk for Sacramento, AP reports. For Simmons, it is a chance to prove durability and rediscover form after stepping away from the game. The Kings' investment in his recovery mirrors their broader rebuild around rookie talent and lower-cost veterans.
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