Ben Simmons returning to NBA on 1-year, $3.5M deal with Kings - ESPN

Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons is back in the NBA after agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings on Friday, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney told Andscape and ESPN's Shams Charania.

Simmons returns to the NBA after missing the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate lingering back and leg injuries. Now healthy, the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder impressed Kings general manager Scott Perry when he worked out for him in Miami and had an hourlong meeting in late August.

Simmons also traveled to Sacramento to visit the Kings and impressed head coach Doug Christie and other members of the basketball staff at the team's practice facility on Monday where he underwent an in-depth medical exam, conducted an on-court workout and met with the entire coaching staff.

In the following days, the Kings offered Simmons a contract with the expectation of him being a backup point guard for rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and play positions one through five. For the Kings, Simmons serves as a high-upside reclamation project who still has years left in his perspective prime.

Simmons' stock rose after he played well while being a full participant in a minicamp with the Australia men's basketball national team in early August. The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors expressed interest in Simmons that could have led to a potential training camp invite. The Kings, however, were the only NBA team to offer him contract. A source said Simmons is excited about playing for the Kings and believes the organization will give him the support and opportunity he has hoped for in his return to the NBA.

The Kings finished 22-60 last season, tying for the worst record in the Western Conference. They waived DeMar