Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons is returning to the NBA after agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney told Andscape and ESPN's Shams Charania. Simmons missed the 2025-26 season rehabilitating back and leg injuries but impressed Kings general manager Scott Perry during a workout in Miami and an hourlong meeting in late August. He later traveled to Sacramento, impressing coach Doug Christie and staff during a medical exam and on-court workout.

The Kings view Simmons as a high-upside reclamation project to back up rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and play positions 1 through 5. Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors expressed interest, but Sacramento was the only team to offer a contract. The Kings finished 22-60 last season, tying for the worst record in the Western Conference, and waived De Mar De Rozan in July while not re-signing Russell Westbrook.

Simmons, the 2016 first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers out of LSU and Melbourne, Australia native, won 2018 Rookie of the Year and 2020 NBA All-Defensive first-team honors. The 30-year-old has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 games for the 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers. During his hiatus, he purchased a 50% stake in the South Florida Sails professional angling club in December 2025.