Kings' Updated Roster, Salary Cap After Ben Simmons Agrees to 1-Year, $3.5M Contract

After one year out of the league, guard Ben Simmons is set to return to the NBA during the 2026-27 season with the Sacramento Kings.

Simmons' agents informed ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday that the three-time All-Star agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings.

With Simmons entering the fold, the Kings' roster and salary cap are starting to shape up ahead of tipoff in October, as ESPN's Bobby Marks outlined:

Originally selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA draft, Simmons appeared well on his way to establishing himself as one of the league's best players.

The Aussie was named NBA Rookie of the Year and followed that up with three consecutive All-Star selections, plus NBA All Defensive First Team honors in 2020 and 2021.

However, after a poor playoff performance in 2021, Simmons was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets, and he never again regained the form he showed in Philly.

Over three seasons from 2022 to 2025 with the Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, Simmons appeared in a total of just 108 games and averaged 5.9 points, 5.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds.

Plagued by injuries for much of his career, Simmons went unsigned last season, but he now figures to serve as the Kings veteran point guard replacement for Russell Westbrook, who retired.

The Kings are not expected to be playoff contenders in 2026-27, and there continue to be trade rumors surrounding their best veteran players, such as Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

Darius Acuff Jr., who the Kings selected seventh overall in the 2026 NBA draft, is widely considered the future of the franchise, and he figures to be given every opportunity to establish himself as such this coming season.

However, Simmons could prove to be a solid addition both in terms of depth behind Acuff and as a player who can relate to the pressure that comes along with being dubbed a potential franchise savior.