Australian former No 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons has taken a significant step towards resurrecting his NBA career, agreeing a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. The Melbourne-born guard returns on a US$3.5m (AU$4.9m) contract after sitting out the entire 2025-26 campaign while rehabilitating back and leg injuries that have hampered him in recent years. Simmons, who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025, celebrated his Kings deal on social media on Saturday morning (AEST) by posting a photograph of himself wearing a team cap.
While reigniting Simmons’ NBA career, his latest move is also a step towards possible Australian Boomers selection for next year’s Fiba World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Boomers, under Washington Wizards assistant and former NBL guard Adam Caporn, are chasing a podium return after a breakthrough bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago. Simmons spent his year out of basketball rebuilding his body and gathered momentum in his comeback bid during a Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne last month.
The former Philadelphia 76ers (2017-21), Brooklyn Nets (2022-25) and Clippers (2024-25) guard also reportedly attracted serious attention from the reigning champion New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors before he signed with Sacramento. Simmons was drafted as the No 1 overall by Philadelphia in 2016, but missed his entire first season with a foot injury before establishing himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars. He claimed 2017-18 rookie of the year honours and was a two-time All-Defensive pick before further injuries derailed his career.
Simmons has not played more than 58 games in a season since 2018-19. He has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 career games (344 starts) with the 76ers, Nets and Clippers. Sacramento open the NBA pre-season at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on 5 October, and visit the Clippers for their regular-season opener on 21 October.
The Kings were 22-60 last season, finishing 14th in the Western Conference, and have only reached the playoffs once since 2006. They suffered a first-round loss to Golden State in 2023, and have not won a playoff series since 2004.
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