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He’s one of the most polarising No.1 draft picks in NBA history, and now Ben Simmons is heading back to basketball’s biggest stage for the 2026/27 NBA season. After spending most of last season fishing, literally, Simmons has signed with the Sacramento Kings on a one-year deal worth US$3.5 million (A$4.8 million) according to ESPN. Looking fit and motivated, the three-time NBA All Star impressed in a recent scrimmages with Australian Boomers squad members in Melbourne and it was no surprise the 30-year-old was snapped up ahead of the new NBA season following a Miami workout and meeting with Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry last month. It’s understood the Kings plan to use Simmons as a backup for rookie point guard and No.7 draft pick Darius Acuff Jr. but as is widely known the 6-foot-10 Aussie has the size and ability play any position on the court when required. In his stop-start career Simmons has played 383 NBA games with his most recent appearance coming for the Los Angeles Clippers back in April 2025. If Simmons is able to stay healthy he could be one of the buys of the NBA season and could also play a key role for the Australian Boomers at the FIBA World Cup in 2027. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here, with a long history of injuries anything is possible in the coming weeks and months. The Kings finished with a 22-60 record last season - equal worst in the Western Conference - and begin their 2026/27 NBA preseason campaign on October 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Just in: Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and @MarcJSpears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26. pic.twitter.com/xj5X7lr3op — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 4, 2026