Ben Simmons to make NBA comeback after finding new team

[p]The 30-year-old point guard was the top pick in the 2016 draft by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/philadelphia-76ers/vwRW2QSh/"]Philadelphia[/a] but missed the 2016-17 campaign with a broken right foot only to earn the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simmons-ben/EHYGkczT/"]Simmons[/a] last played in the NBA in early 2025 as a reserve with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-lakers/ngegZ8bg/"]Los Angeles[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-clippers/vPeTYlqm/"]Clippers[/a] but ESPN and The Athletic reported he has come to terms on a deal worth $3.5 million with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sacramento-kings/CvwE1OCB/"]Kings[/a], who were reportedly impressed with his performance at a workout this week.[/p][p]He will likely serve as a backup for rookie guard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/acuff-jr-darius/Gf1NPiFN/"]Darius Acuff[/a], the seventh pick in last June's draft, as well as a possible fill-in at other roster positions.[/p][p]Simmons averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game over eight NBA seasons, producing his best numbers with the 76ers before sitting out the 2021-22 campaign then being traded to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brooklyn-nets/bsAMUpDO/"]Brooklyn[/a], where he struggled and was waived in 2025 before finishing the season with the Clippers.[/p][embed guid="5c5d39f4-8cfe-40ca-b5ca-9db83c68a362" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM1_tpOsgqc" social-type="youtube" /][p]Simmons boosted interest from clubs last month after a strong training camp with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/australia/dYY4LeGC/"]Australian national team[/a].[/p][p]The Kings were 22-60 last season and dropped guards [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/derozan-demar/8QxyhCCP/"]DeMar DeRozan[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/westbrook-russell/xdkW8SCH/"]Russell Westbrook[/a] in the off-season.[/p][p]Sacramento have reached the playoffs only once since 2006, suffering a first-round loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/golden-state-warriors/SxUtXqch/"]Golden State[/a] in 2023.[/p][p]The Kings last won a playoff series in 2004 and the franchise won its lone NBA title in 1951 as the Rochester Royals, their 75 years since reaching the NBA Finals a dubious league record.[/p]