Ben Simmons is seeking a path back to the NBA, and the Sacramento Kings have emerged as his most viable option. The franchise's interest grew after general manager Scott Perry recently attended a workout with the Australian and was impressed by his physical condition, to the point of seriously considering offering him a contract.
A Full Year Away
Here's the stat that changes everything: Simmons did not play a single game during the 2025-26 season. He was left without a team after his contract with the Clippers expired and spent the entire year away from the court, even dedicating time to other matters, such as his participation as co-owner of a sports fishing club in Florida.
His last numbers in the league, therefore, are from 2024-25: 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks in 22 minutes, across 51 games with 24 starts, split between the Brooklyn Nets—who rescinded his contract in February 2025—and the Clippers, where he saw rotation minutes when healthy. In the five playoff games he played, he averaged 0.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes.
The distance from what he once was is enormous. In his four seasons with Philadelphia, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists on 56 percent shooting from the field. He was Rookie of the Year in 2018, a three-time All-Star, twice named to the All-Defensive Team and once to the All-NBA Team, plus led the league in steals in 2020.
Why Sacramento Could Benefit
The move only makes sense if the financial risk is minimal, and that's precisely the scenario. Simmons is in no position to demand anything: a reduced-salary contract with few guarantees is what's expected—the type a franchise can walk away from without cost if it doesn't work out. Low risk, high reward if it clicks.
What Sacramento would be buying is not scoring. Simmons never developed a reliable outside shot and it would be naive to expect him to now, at thirty years old and after a year away from competition. His value lies in his size, defense across multiple positions, rebounding and his ability to generate offense without monopolizing the ball—a secondary playmaker profile that fits well on a team with obvious defensive needs.
Two Unanswered Questions
The first is physical. It's not about whether he retains his technique, but whether his body allows him to play consistently and whether he maintains the explosiveness that made his defense and penetrations differentiating weapons. His back and accumulated injuries have been dictating his career for years.
The second is about attitude. Recent years have eroded his reputation and every comeback attempt has come with doubts about his willingness. Sacramento would need to verify that he's willing to compete, accept a limited role and rebuild from the ground up—something he's never had to do.
Meanwhile, the path back to Philadelphia seems to be cooling: Simmons has left it open, but the Sixers' moves this summer don't guarantee there will be room for him. Sacramento offers the opposite: less pressure, less spotlight and minutes if he proves he's ready.