Kings officially outbid Knicks, Warriors for $3.5 million three-time All-Star making NBA comeback image
The Sacramento Kings have officially completed an offseason signing regarded as one of the more intriguing moves to date.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Kings are bringing a three-time All-Star guard, who held interest from the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks (according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick), on board on a short-term deal.
“Update: Ben Simmons has signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal worth up to $3.5 million with the Sacramento Kings,” Scotto wrote on X/Twitter. “If he makes the opening night roster, he’ll earn $1 million. The 30-year-old, 3-time All-Star is making an NBA comeback. ESPN was first on an agreement.”
Simmons’ NBA career has been one long rollercoaster, to put it mildly. After missing the 2015-16 season with the Philadelphia 76ers due to an injury, which should have been his rookie campaign, Simmons hit the ground running with the three-time NBA champions in 2016-17.
The LSU product’s otherworldly passing on the move, fluid slashing ability while utilizing the one-dribble move-and-go technique (commonly a left-handed in-and-out or light crossover), and physically imposing perimeter and interior defense helped him transform into one of the best up-and-coming two-way contributors in the league.
In addition to earning three All-Star nods with the 76ers, the former No. 1 overall pick also received Rookie of the Year honors, two All-Defensive first team nods, and one All-NBA third team nod. Unfortunately for Simmons, his less-than-stellar 2021 NBA Playoffs performance (particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals) marked the beginning of his demise in Philadelphia.
Scoring five points while only attempting five shots in a win or game ECF clash vs. the Atlanta Hawks wasn’t the splash Simmons was hoping to make to end the 2020-21 season, and following a lengthy and puzzling holdout, the 76ers eventually traded him to the Brooklyn Nets (Feb. 10, 2022).
A change of scenery didn’t have a positive effect on the 30-year-old, as his scoring, playmaking, and health declined during his 2.5-year stint with Brooklyn. After averaging 6.2 points and 6.9 assists with the Nets in 33 games in 2024-25, the franchise waived him in early February, prompting him to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers for the rest of the season.
As expected, Simmons didn’t make much of an impact with Los Angeles in 18 contests and failed to convince a team to sign him during the 2025 offseason (resulting in him taking the year off).
While the Kings are in developmental mode and laser-focused on developing their young, high-upside contributors, there’s no reason to believe Simmons can’t help anchor the organization’s second unit and prove he’s still a valuable NBA player.
It’ll be interesting to see how the former McDonald’s All-American fares during his commendable comeback attempt to the big leagues.
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