Ben Simmons signs multi-million-dollar NBA deal with Kings

Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has inked a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, marking a significant step in his NBA comeback. The Melbourne-born guard, last seen playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025, has agreed to a $US3.5 million ($4.9 million) deal to resume his professional basketball career.

Simmons' return comes after a year-long absence, during which he focused on rehabilitating from back and leg injuries. His decision to join the Kings represents a strategic move towards potential Australian national team selection for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Under the guidance of former NBL guard and Washington Wizards assistant coach Adam Caporn, the Sacramento Kings are aiming for a podium finish after a bronze medal performance at the 2016 Tokyo Olympics.

Prior to his Kings deal, Simmons had stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Clippers. The former No.1 overall draft pick in 2016 struggled with injuries, missing entire seasons and averaging less than 58 games in a season since 2018-19. Despite his struggles, he claimed the 2017-18 rookie of the year award and earned two All-Defensive selections before his career plateaued.

Simmons' recent resurgence was highlighted during a mini-camp with the Australian national team in Melbourne, where he showed promising progress. Before signing with the Kings, he had already attracted interest from the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors. The Sacramento Kings, currently sitting at 22-60 with a 14th-place finish in the Western Conference, have not reached the playoffs since 2006 and have only made the postseason once since 2004.