Ben Simmons Signs With Sacramento Kings

PUBLISHED Sep 4, 2026, 9:04 PM ET

Sacramento Kings signed guard Ben Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum contract, securing his return to the National Basketball Association after he missed the entire 2025-26 season to recover from back and leg injuries. Simmons last played during the 2024-25 campaign, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 51 games. To clear roster space and drop beneath the luxury tax threshold, Sacramento executed a waive-and-stretch maneuver on DeMar DeRozan's remaining salary cap hit. The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks also expressed signing interest before Simmons finalized his agreement with the Kings. Selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons holds career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals over 383 regular-season games as a three-time All-Star.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 22
Right Leaning:: 4
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 17

Explain Framing

Left: Framed contract as low-risk redemption opportunity for struggling veteran. Center: Framed transaction strictly around financial cap flexibility and roster mechanics. Right: Framed signing through competitive Western Conference playoff roster upgrade lens.