Former Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has resumed his NBA career, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old did not play at all during the 2025-26 campaign, a season that ended for the Nets with a 125-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 11, 2026.
What is the deal Ben Simmons signed?
ESPN's Shams Charania reported the signing on Friday. The contract is a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Simmons traveled to Sacramento for a visit on Monday, where he underwent extensive medical exams, an on-court workout, and meetings with head coach Doug Christie and other staff members. In late August, he also worked out for and met with general manager Scott Perry for an hour.
Team officials and those from Team Australia, where Simmons participated in a players-only minicamp last month, reported the guard looked and felt strong physically. This signing marks a significant step for Simmons after he took a voluntary hiatus from the league last year, unable to find a team situation that matched his preferences.
How did Ben Simmons perform with the Brooklyn Nets?
Simmons spent four seasons with the Brooklyn Nets after being acquired in a major trade. His tenure in Brooklyn was hampered by persistent back injuries and inconsistent availability. During his 383 total NBA games, he holds career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 55.8% from the field.
His specific production with the Nets was lower, averaging 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per contest. He shot 56.2% from the floor but struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 50.0% of his attempts during his time in Brooklyn. The team's recent form, losing their last two games to finish the season, shows the ongoing challenges they've faced in building consistency, which you can track in our standings history.
What did Ben Simmons do during his year off?
While sitting out the 2025-26 NBA season, Simmons channeled his energy into a passion project outside of basketball. He became the controlling owner of the South Florida Sails, a team in the Sport Fishing Championship. This venture into professional sport fishing ownership provided an outlet during his time away from the court.
His signing with the Kings is unlikely to end his interest in fishing and other business avenues. However, the primary focus is now squarely on his basketball comeback. The time off appears to have allowed for physical recovery, a key factor after the series of back and nerve issues that limited his play in Brooklyn.
What comes next for Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets?
For Simmons, the immediate future involves integrating with the Sacramento Kings' system under coach Doug Christie. His unique skill set as a 6'10" point guard who can defend multiple positions and help offense could provide a new dimension for Sacramento if he remains healthy. The one-year deal represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for both parties.
For the Brooklyn Nets, the page has fully turned on the Ben Simmons era. The team continues its rebuild, looking to develop its current roster and improve upon its recent results. Simmons' departure and subsequent signing elsewhere closes a chapter that began with high hopes for a championship but was ultimately defined by injury setbacks. His career revival in Sacramento will be a storyline to watch as the new NBA season approaches.
