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The Sacramento Kings might be getting a very different version of Ben Simmons from the one NBA fans have grown accustomed to seeing in recent years.
We've seen plenty of offseason footage of Simmons confidently knocking down three-pointers before, only for that willingness to shoot to disappear once the regular season begins.
This time, however, there are signs that Simmons could actually be prepared to let it fly in games while playing with a renewed mentality and confidence.
According to his godfather, David Patrick, who currently serves as an associate head coach at Arizona State, Simmons' hunger for basketball appears to be returning to the level it was during his best years with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Patrick also suggested that Simmons has become much more comfortable shooting from deep, confidently taking threes in live situations without worrying about whether they go in.
"His hunger for the game is back," Patrick said on the Matt & Kayla Show on Sactown Sports 1140.
"He comes to camp, he's shooting threes in live play, doesn't care whether they make or miss… That swagger, that confidence that he once had, is back," he added.
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 had maintained its interest in signing Simmons ever since it conducted an official team workout for the former NBA star last month.