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Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons is returning to the league with the Sacramento Kings after a one-season absence.
It's set to be a big comeback season for Simmons, who will want to prove to a lot of people he still belongs in the NBA, after missing last season completely and struggling for playing time since being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although the Sacramento Kings are bringing in Simmons, who is entering his eighth season in the league, they are not expecting him to play much of a mentor role on the rebuilding team.
"I'd be careful expecting Simmons to be a mentor to Acuff or any of the young Kings," Jason Jones of The Athletic wrote.
"Given Simmons just sat out a season and has had his commitment questioned for years, that's not a role that fits him in Sacramento. He doesn't need that leadership responsibility," he added.
Simmons wants to stay with Kings long-term
Marc J. Spears of ESPN shared an interesting note about Simmons on The Carmichael Show with Jason Ross of Sactown Sports 110, reporting that the former NBA star would be willing to stay in Sacramento should their partnership work.
"I don't know if [Simmons'] sister would want me to share this, but when this [ESPN article] thing I've been working on comes out, y'all gonna be like, 'This is dope,'" Spears said.
"But yeah, she told me the one thing that's interesting: he's a pretty loyal guy. And if they gave him the opportunity and he does well, and they want him back, and it's fair, I think he'd want to stay."
Simmons impresses Kings, signs one-year deal
Ben Simmons has joined the Sacramento Kings on a reported one-year, $3.5 million contract.
This allows Simmons to make his return to the NBA after taking a full break from basketball during the entire 2025-26 season. He last played for the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Clippers in the 2024-25 campaign.
After strongly expressing his desire to play again next year, Simmons left a strong impression on the Kings' leadership. Sacramento has maintained its interest in signing Simmons ever since it conducted an official team workout for the former NBA star last month.