Sacramento Kings agree to deal with former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons

The Sacramento Kings have reportedly signed free agent and former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons to a one-year contract, per reports.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 4, 2026, 6:42 AM Updated: 7:40 am

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Watch: BREAKING Sacramento Kings Sign Ben Simmons To A One-year Deal | 9 mins

The Sacramento Kings have finally landed their backup point guard. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that free agent Ben Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to play in California’s capital.

Future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook filled that role last season, but after his contract expired, he retired rather than return to Sacramento. Instead, Kings’ general manager Scott Perry brought in another reserve facilitator with a storied background.

Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and projected to be a perennial All-Star for Philadelphia. He missed his entire first year before winning Rookie of the Year and following that up with three straight All-Star appearances.

Then the infamous “Why did he pass that?!” play happened, and it seemed like he became scared to drive with the same aggression he’d had in years prior.

Things quickly petered out with the 76ers from there as injuries began to get in the way. Simmons played two and a half seasons with Brooklyn afterward. His last season of NBA minutes came in 2024-25, when he made 33 appearances between the Nets and Clippers.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets in action during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on December 04, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets in action during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on December 04, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

More on Ben Simmons

After missing the entire season as a free agent while resting and rehabbing his back, Ben Simmons appears ready for a return.

Working with nothing but minimum salaries after stretching the final year of DeMar DeRozan’s money, it’s a low-risk move for Sacramento that fills a position of need.

Rookie lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr. is expected to be the starting point guard and be a focal point of the organization’s present and future. Behind him, their options were limited to Malik Monk, Nique Clifford, and second-round pick Emanuel Sharp, none of whom are traditional point guards.

Simmons has always been an impressive facilitator, averaging 7.2 assists per game in his career. Doing so at 6’10” with an above seven-foot wingspan provides him with unique positional versatility on the other end of the floor.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 23: Ben Simmons #25 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Intuit Dome on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Given his size, length, and strength, he can defend a wide variety of positions and instantly boosts the Kings’ defense in a much-needed way.

Of course, there’s the reality that Simmons is just 5/36 from three in his 383 career games. He’s not going to provide ideal spacing playing off-ball, but that’s alright. Playing in a limited role and low-pressure environment could be beneficial for the 30-year-old former top prospect.

For the Kings, it’s a low-risk move that fills a vacancy behind Acuff. After signing Simmons, Sacramento has one open roster spot left, but can also invite three additional players to training camp.