Ben Simmons Signed One-Year Deal With Kings
The 6-foot-10 veteran signed a $3.5 million contract in September 2026 after sitting out last season.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Basketball
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Ben Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings in September 2026. The veteran guard, who did not play in the NBA during the 2025-26 season, bypassed training camp offers from other teams to secure the guaranteed deal.
Why it matters
Simmons sought a guaranteed contract rather than competing for a roster spot during training camp. The Sacramento Kings provided a clear plan for his role, leading him to choose the city over potential offers from the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks.
Simmons appeared in 51 games during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per contest. The 6-foot-10 player sat out the entirety of the 2025-26 season before returning to the court via this agreement.
The players
Ben Simmons
He is a 6-foot-10 professional basketball player who previously played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
Sacramento Kings
They are a professional NBA team based in Sacramento that finalized a contract with Simmons to bolster their roster.
Doug Christie
He is the head coach of the Sacramento Kings who met with Simmons to discuss his role with the franchise.
Golden State Warriors
They are an NBA franchise based in the Golden State area that expressed interest in signing Simmons to a training camp deal.
New York Knicks
They are a professional basketball team based in New York that offered Simmons an Exhibit 10 training camp contract.
The details
After undergoing medical evaluations and conducting workouts for the team, Simmons met with Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie and staff members to finalize the agreement. He bypassed interest from the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks, who had both offered him Exhibit 10 training camp contracts.
Timeline
Simmons played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season.
Simmons sat out the entire 2025-26 NBA season.
The Golden State Warriors signed Dalen Terry to an Exhibit 10 contract in August 2026.
The Sacramento Kings officially signed Simmons in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
This acquisition alters the competitive depth of the Kings as they look to integrate a veteran facilitator into their current rotation. By securing a guaranteed contract, Simmons avoids the volatility of training camp tryouts that defined the offseason moves for teams like the Warriors.
Simmons' signing provides the Kings with a 6-foot-10 playmaker who previously averaged 5.6 assists per game during his last active season. This move fills a specific need for experienced depth, likely impacting the team's total salary cap allocation and bench rotation strategy.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates the value teams place on guaranteed roster stability over the low-risk approach of training camp competition. It also highlights the continued demand for versatile, experienced playmakers who can contribute immediate depth to an established rotation.
Further reading
For more on roster moves and team updates, visit Basketball.
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