Apr 11, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) at the end of the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Apr 11, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) at the end of the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Ben Simmons becoming a member of the Sacramento Kings is getting closer to becoming a reality. General manager Scott Perry is reportedly in Florida to watch Simmons work out, a major step in adding a veteran point guard. Hopefully, what Perry sees is a lot different from what the league saw.
While it feels like an eternity ago, there was a time when Simmons was considered to be one of the brightest stars in the NBA. He was drafted first overall by the 76ers in 2016 and would go on to be named the 2018 Rookie of the Year. That wasn't his only accolade by far.
Simmons was a three-time All-Star, a two-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team, was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and was the NBA steals leader in 2020. There's a reason the Kings are interested. Keeping that in mind, injuries have played a huge part in Simmons' career.
The many injuries of Ben Simmons
As I'm sure you noticed, Simmons was drafted in 2016 but became ROTY in 2018. That's because a preseason injury caused him to miss the entirety of what was supposed to be his rookie season in 2016-2017. That turned out to be only the beginning.
Multiple injuries would dog Simmons throughout his career. From 2020 to 2024, a lower back herniated disc and nerve impingement caused him to miss significant time. The same was true of right knee issues that were a huge problem in 2022-2023.
Ultimately, Simmons missed 254 games between 2017-2018 and 2024-2025. That doesn't include what was supposed to be his first season in 2016-2017, though it does include the games he sat out for half a season when he was trying to force the 76ers to trade him. The Kings need to be careful.
Hopefully, the Kings know what they're getting into
Simmons ultimately took last season off to heal, train, and be a competitive fisherman. That's not a joke. Now, the Kings are looking at bringing him in as a point guard to back up Darius Acuff Jr. and act as a mentor to him. At the same time, there is a lot of risk in this move.
While he's only 30, years of injuries and other issues have taken their toll on both Simmons' game and his health. On top of that, if he signs with the Kings and decides it's not where he wants to be, he could decide to just sit on the bench until Sacramento moves him.
If Simmons comes back healthier and with a better attitude, he could do big things for the Kings. But they would be smart to only sign him to a one-year contract for now, limiting their potential risk. Plus, there are other veteran point guards out there like Cam Payne who may fit much better.
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