Kings Gamble on Ben Simmons' Return

As CBS Sports first reported, the Sacramento Kings have signed Ben Simmons, the former No. 1 overall pick, to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, a figure cited by ESPN. The move comes as the Kings seek depth at the point guard position ahead of training camp, following the retirement of Russell Westbrook.

Simmons, 30, arrives in Sacramento after a nearly 18-month absence from NBA competition. He spent the previous season rehabilitating back and leg injuries and recently participated in a player-led minicamp for the Australian national team in Melbourne. His last NBA action occurred during the 2024-25 season, where he played 51 games for the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.

According to CBS Sports, the Kings are prioritizing depth behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., who was selected with the No. 7 pick and is projected to start at point guard. With Malik Monk as the only other roster player to operate in spot minutes at the position, the 6-foot-10 Simmons is expected to serve as a point forward and potential mentor for the team's young core.

Sacramento's interest in Simmons is not new; CBS Sports reports the team, then led by general manager Monte McNair, pursued the former Philadelphia 76ers star during the 2022 trade deadline before instead trading Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis. The Athletic reported that the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks also considered signing Simmons before he agreed to terms with Sacramento, his fourth NBA team.

Given the veteran minimum nature of the deal, the signing is viewed as a low-risk move. If Simmons rehabilitates his value, he could serve as a trade asset at the deadline or secure a larger contract next offseason. Conversely, CBS Sports notes that if the experiment fails, the financial impact will be negligible.