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Ben Simmons is officially back in the NBA after spending an entire season away from the league, with the three-time All-Star agreeing to join the Sacramento Kings. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears, Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Kings. His agent confirmed the agreement. The deal will bring Simmons back for his tenth NBA season after he sat out the entirety of last season as he focused on getting his body healthy after years of back issues. The Kings have been looking at Simmons for a while. He initially worked out for general manager Scott Perry in late August and reportedly met with him for an hour. Reports from the workout were extremely positive, with one person who attended saying that the former number one overall pick looked fantastic. The Kings then brought Simmons to Sacramento on Monday for a much more intensive evaluation. He underwent detailed medical examinations, participated in on-court workouts, and met with head coach Doug Christie and other members of the organization before the two sides came to an agreement. Perhaps most importantly, the feedback around Simmons himself has been very good. The 30-year-old had also participated in Australia’s players-only minicamp last month, and both Team Australia officials and people with the Kings organization think that Simmons has looked and felt strong physically. This will ultimately determine whether his comeback eventually succeeds. Simmons last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, as he spent his last two stints between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 22 minutes per game, and he did not even attempt a single three-pointer. Those numbers are far removed from the player who made three consecutive All-Star teams. At his peak, Simmons was one of the NBA’s best two-way players, as the 6-foot-10 playmaker earned an All-NBA selection, made two All-Defensive teams, and was known to be a very good passer, rebounder, and defender. His career averages are 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The Kings do not need Simmons to be that player again. They went 22-60 last season and are looking to develop rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. after selecting him seventh overall. Their backcourt also has Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Nique Clifford. Simmons can be used as a complementary playmaker rather than being asked to initiate the offense. His shooting limitations are very obvious, but his size and passing give the Kings something different. If healthy, Simmons could handle the ball with second units, defend multiple positions, rebound, and create chances for the Kings’ scorers. There’s also very little financial risk attached to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. After a year away from the NBA, Simmons is finally back, getting another chance, and now the bigger question arises: whether this healthier version of the former All-Star can prove that he still belongs in the NBA.