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Ben Simmons Returns to NBA with Sacramento Kings, Vows to 'Dominate' After Year Away

Three-time All-Star spent last season out of basketball pursuing professional sport fishing

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources2 outlets
Ben Simmons, the three-time NBA All-Star who spent last season away from the league, has returned to basketball with the Sacramento Kings, declaring himself rejuvenated and ready to dominate after a year focused on professional sport fishing.

Simmons, 30, was a top draft pick with the Philadelphia 76ers and once seen as central to that team's revival, but his relationship with the franchise soured. His five-year, US$250 million deal expired after the 2024-25 season, after which he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets and then waived. He spent the following season with the Los Angeles Clippers before stepping away from the game to pursue professional sport fishing.

Now back in the NBA, Simmons said basketball is his art and he is ready to prove how much he missed the sport. He has struggled with physical and mental health issues throughout his career. The Kings have signed him as they look to bolster their roster.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Simmons' return could reshape the Kings' lineup if he recaptures his All-Star form.
  • His year away and subsequent comeback will be closely watched as a test of mental and physical resilience in professional sports.
  • For Australian basketball fans, Simmons remains a high-profile figure whose career arc has drawn international attention.

Background

Ben Simmons entered the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick in 2016 and was named Rookie of the Year. He made three All-Star appearances but his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers ended amid friction with the franchise and fans. Injuries and mental health challenges sidelined him for extended periods. After his contract expired, he was moved to Brooklyn, waived, and later played for the Clippers. Last season, he stepped away from basketball entirely to try professional fishing.

Key Perspectives

Ben Simmons: Says he is healthy, happy, and ready to dominate, calling basketball his art. Sacramento Kings: The team is giving Simmons an opportunity to revive his career, hoping his versatility and playmaking can add depth. Critics and skeptics: Some question whether Simmons can stay healthy and perform at a high level given his history of back injuries and mental health absences.

What to Watch

  • How Simmons performs in preseason games and early in the regular season.
  • Whether he returns to his previous defensive and playmaking levels.
  • The Kings' overall team chemistry and Simmons' fit alongside their existing stars.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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