Ben Simmons’ redemption story coming with Kings would be all-time upset

After Ben Simmons and the Sacramento Kings’ offseason workouts this summer, the three-time All-Star guard is making his return to the NBA. Simmons agreed to a one-year deal, worth $3.5 million ahead of the 2026-27 season. He last played for the LA Clippers in 2024-25, appearing in only 18 games after his trade from the Brooklyn Nets.

Simmons was never the same after his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, which included three consecutive All-Star appearances between 2019 and 2021. The 2017 Rookie of the Year was also named to two All-Defensive Teams (2020-21) and one All-NBA Third Team in 2020. Although he missed the 2021-22 season due to a back injury, the 2021 playoffs were the defining moment of his career.

In Game 7 of the 76ers’ 2021 Eastern Conference semifinal best-of-7 series against the Atlanta Hawks, Simmons passed up an open layup during a critical moment in the fourth quarter of a 103-96 loss that ended the Sixers’ season. He struggled heavily from the free-throw line, where he was 15-for-45 throughout the series, which led people to believe he was afraid he’d get fouled and be forced to return to the charity stripe in the final minutes of Game 7.

Making matters worse, a reporter asked 76ers head coach Doc Rivers whether Simmons could help lead a team to a championship after losing Game 7, and he could neither confirm nor deny it, he said, per NBA on ESPN.

“I don’t know the answer to that right now,” Rivers said, which added to the narrative questioning Simmons’ ability to perform at a high level in pressure situations.

The public scrutiny led to profound confidence issues for Simmons, which he struggled to overcome, and it showed in his declining production. Then came Simmons’ shooting abilities, which came under fire two years into his five-year, $170 million max extension with the Sixers, coupled with his disappointing playoff series against the Hawks in 2021.

Simmons posted 6.9 points on 56.6% shooting without attempting a single three, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in his first season with the Nets (2022-23) before Brooklyn offloaded his contract to the Clippers two seasons later. Now, after missing the entire 2025-26 season, Ben returns to the NBA.

With the Kings, it’s an ideal situation for Ben Simmons to bounce back and prove himself. Besides, who doesn’t appreciate a redemption story? Especially in sports, where Simmons can prove his naysayers wrong and have the last laugh. After Russell Westbrook turned down the Kings’ one-year offer and retired, the Kings signed Simmons, who NBA fans in Sacramento will watch closely next season.

There isn’t a whole lot of pressure for Simmons to perform at a high level. The Kings, 22-60, finished tied with the Utah Jazz for the worst record in the Western Conference standings last season. They had a relatively quiet summer, which ended with signing Simmons to a veteran’s minimum contract.

How Ben Simmons scores the ball for the Kings in 2026-27 will be heavily dissected. However, if he’s decided to return to the NBA, one has to assume he’s done his best to correct his flaws, especially given the extensive summer workouts with the Kings. Assuming 3-point shooting isn’t part of his newfound game, Simmons can bring other things to the table.

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