The Sacramento Kings are taking one of the smartest low‑risk swings of the NBA offseason — and they’re doing it on one of the most unique players of his generation: Ben Simmons.
A Fresh Start for a Former All‑Star
Ben Simmons has agreed to a one‑year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento after missing the entire 2025‑26 season due to back issues. Reuters reported the contract details, and early signs are encouraging: Simmons is healthy, practicing without restrictions, and finally positioned to restart a career that once looked destined for superstardom.
For the Kings, this is not about chasing the old Simmons — the All‑NBA point forward who once terrorized defenses in transition. It’s about discovering whether his size, defense, rebounding, and passing can elevate a roster that desperately needs versatility.
Why This Move Makes Sense for Sacramento
Sacramento is coming off a 22‑60 season, searching for identity, direction, and defensive stability. Simmons offers all three — if he’s healthy and engaged.
This is a no‑risk, real‑upside signing:
• Short contract
• Manageable salary
• No long‑term commitment
• High potential reward
If Simmons works out, Sacramento gains a dynamic playmaker and defender. If he doesn’t, they move on easily.
Simmons as the Second‑Unit Point Forward
The Kings don’t need Simmons to be a star. They need him to be a connector.
How he fits the second unit
• Darius Acuff Jr. will get major developmental minutes.
• Malik Monk remains the team’s most creative scorer/playmaker.
• Simmons becomes the organizer, the pace‑pusher, the rebound‑and‑go engine.
At 6-foot-10, Simmons can see over defenses, ignite transition, and create easy looks for shooters and cutters. He doesn’t need to dominate the ball — he just needs to keep the offense flowing.
Pairing him with Monk could be especially effective:
• Simmons handles early playmaking
• Monk attacks defenses as a scorer
• Defenses collapse → Simmons finds shooters
This is the version of Simmons that can quietly swing games.
Defense: His Fastest Path to Real Minutes
If Simmons earns consistent minutes, it will be because of his defense.
When healthy, he can guard:
• Point guards
• Wings
• Some forwards
Sacramento needs that badly. With scorers like Monk and Zach LaVine, Simmons becomes the defensive counterbalance — the switchable, disruptive presence who can cover multiple mistakes.
He doesn’t need to score.
He needs to defend, rebound, communicate, and pass.
That version of Simmons is absolutely playable.
A Small‑Ball Center Option
One of the most intriguing possibilities is Simmons at small‑ball center.
Why it works:
• He can screen, roll, handle, and defend
• Kings can surround him with four shooters
• The pace skyrockets
• The floor opens up for drives and cuts
Why it’s tricky? Playing Simmons with Domantas Sabonis could create spacing issues. Both operate inside the arc, and defenses may clog the paint.
Doug Christie will need to be selective with that pairing — but the small‑ball Simmons lineups could be electric.
The Two Big Questions: Health & Aggression
Simmons’ talent has never been the issue.
His availability and confidence have been.
He has played only 108 games in five seasons, and Sacramento must manage his workload carefully. A role of 15–22 minutes per game makes sense early.
Aggression is the other key.
Not jump shots — but:
• Attacking open lanes
• Finishing at the rim
• Setting strong screens
• Using his size against smaller defenders
If he becomes passive, defenses will ignore him. If he stays assertive, he becomes a real weapon.
A Smart Gamble With Real Upside
Sacramento is not asking Simmons to be a star.
They’re asking him to be dependable, versatile, and engaged.
His job is clear:
• Lead the break
• Create for the second unit
• Guard multiple positions
• Rebound
• Play small‑ball center when needed
If he does those things, he could become one of the Kings’ most valuable reserves — and rebuild his reputation around the league.
If he doesn’t, Sacramento loses nothing.
This is a second chance for Simmons and a smart experiment for the Kings. He no longer needs to be the franchise cornerstone. He just needs to be a winning player.
And that might be exactly what Sacramento needs.
