After missing last season while rehabbing from a back injury, three-time All-Star Ben Simmons officially signed with the Sacramento Kings to return in the upcoming season. Per ESPN, Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings. He last appeared in 18 games for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 season, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
After the news of Simmons' return to the NBA, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith sounded off on the comeback story, calling out the former No. 1 pick. "This is not an exaggeration, 6-10, ambidextrous, the handle, the passing ability, the defensive prowess.
This brother could do everything but shoot," Smith said, adding, "And somehow, someway, something happened to this dude's mental, and he treated taking a shot as if you asked him to be on the front lines in Afghanistan. It made no sense whatsoever." More news: Charles Barkley Delivers Harsh Reality Check for LeBron James on 76ers "It still makes no sense to me, but I do know this. He never missed picking up his check.
He always made sure he got paid. He always made sure he got his money. So now that he's back in the league, here's what the problem is, it's a one-year deal ...
He should be paying them to let him play," Smith also said. "He should be the first player in the NBA that actually pays the team to let him play, considering the thievery he engaged in for a few years disguised as an NBA player where he was scared of his own damn shadow, but never scared to pick up the check," he said. The Philadelphia 76ers made Simmons the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and he was initially considered a key player on a team that also featured big man Joel Embiid.
He averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in his second season. While Simmons had three straight All-Star selections and reached the postseason three times with Philly, injuries also hindered him. He eventually decided he no longer wanted to play for the team.
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