Ben Simmons Wants to 'Dominate' With Kings, Opens Up About Hiatus in New Video After NBA Return

Ben Simmons isn't exactly setting the bar low for his return to the NBA after taking the 2025-26 campaign off.

"To dominate," he told reporters Monday when asked what his personal goals are with the Sacramento Kings (6:10 mark). "Every time I step on the floor to dominate."

Simmons joined the Kings on a one-year, $3.5 million deal this offseason after he did not play in the NBA at all last season. He believes that time away will help him return to form.

"I'm right where I need to be," he said (15-second mark). "I took a lot of time to focus on my body over the season. I think it's the best thing I've done and decision I've made for my career."

Notably, he also said (4:15 mark), "I'm there," when asked if he could return to his peak. "He's there. He woke up."

Kings fans will surely love to hear that, as there was a time when Simmons was one of the best players in the league who could impact games in a number of ways.

The No. 1 pick of the 2016 NBA draft was the Rookie of the Year and a three-time All-Star during his first four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2019-20 in the first of back-to-back seasons when he was named to the All-Defensive First Team.

However, he missed the 2021-22 campaign with injury and was never the same player.

Simmons appeared in 42 games in 2022-23, 15 games in 2023-24 and 51 games in 2024-25 and never averaged better than 6.9 points per game in that span. A hesitancy to shoot or attack the basket made him a liability at times on the offensive side, which limited his overall value even as a solid defender who can rebound and facilitate.

ESPN's Marc J. Spears reported Simmons "impressed" Kings head coach Doug Christie, general manager Scott Perry and other members of the team during workouts this offseason, though, which inspired the team to sign him as someone who can play all five positions and back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr.

Simmons won't be a focal point of the team like he was in Philadelphia, which should take some of the pressure off his shoulders and could help him thrive in a new role.