Australian former number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons has taken a significant step towards resurrecting his NBA career, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n
The Melbourne-born guard returns on a $US3.5 million ($4.9 million) contract after sitting \u200cout the entire 2025-26 campaign while rehabilitating back and leg injuries that have hampered him in recent years.<\/p>\n
Simmons, who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2025, celebrated his Kings deal on social media on Saturday morning (AEST) by posting a photograph of himself wearing a team cap.<\/p>\n
While reigniting Simmons’s NBA career, his latest move is also a step towards possible Australian Boomers selection for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.<\/p>\n
The Boomers, under Washington Wizards assistant and former NBL guard Adam Caporn, are chasing a podium return after a breakthrough bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago.<\/p>\n
Simmons spent his year out of basketball rebuilding his body and gathered momentum in his comeback bid during a Boomers mini-camp in Melbourne last month.<\/p>\n
The former Philadelphia 76ers (2017-21), Brooklyn Nets (2022-25) and Clippers (2024-25) guard also reportedly attracted serious attention from the reigning champion New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors before he signed with Sacramento.<\/p>\n
Simmons was drafted as the No.1 overall by Philadelphia in 2016, but missed his entire first season with a foot injury before establishing himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars.<\/p>\n
He claimed 2017-18 rookie \u200cof the year honours and was a two-time All-Defensive \u200bpick before further injuries derailed his career.<\/p>\n
Simmons has not played more than 58 games \u200bin \u200ba season since 2018-19.<\/p>\n
He \u200bhas averaged 13.1 points, \u200c7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 383 career games (344 starts) with the 76ers, Nets and Clippers.<\/p>\n
Sacramento open the NBA preseason at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on October \u200b5, and visit the Clippers for their regular-season opener on \u200bOctober 21.<\/p>\n
The Kings were 22-60 last season, finishing 14th in the Western Conference, and have only reached the playoffs once since 2006.<\/p>\n
They suffered a first-round loss to Golden State in 2023, and have not won a playoff series since 2004.<\/p>\n
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