Ben Simmons is getting a golden opportunity out in California to revive his NBA career. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Despite making his preferences public—stating that he would like to join the Sixers or the Miami Heat—Simmons couldn’t get picky after spending the 2025-2026 NBA season at sea and unsigned. The Kings gave the three-time All-Star a prove-it deal and it turns out that Simmons really has to prove it early.
The leash is shorter than expected
Many NBA rumors continued to link Simmons to the Sixers throughout the summer until they signed LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Once it became clear that there wasn’t room for another standard contract, Simmons didn’t have a shot. A contending 76ers team wasn’t going to be the landing spot for the guard who is making a comeback.
But don’t think for a second that the Simmons-Philly rumors will fade entirely. With the latest update on Simmons’ move to Sacramento, it appears that the leash for Simmons is shorter than expected. He has a one-year deal, but it’s not guaranteed. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Simmons could make $3.5 million in 2026-2027, but only $1 million will be guaranteed if he’s on the opening -night roster.
Therefore, the Kings have flexibility and could cut ties with Simmons without having to eat the full salary. Training camp and the preseason were already high-pressure for Simmons, but this report adds more weight to the situation. Simmons might be available much earlier than expected—and if he is—then that should tell the Sixers and the rest of the league all they need to know about where he’s at in his career.
No Ben Simmons business
The redemption arc in Philly would’ve been interesting, at the very least. Simmons grew disgruntled in 2021 and had a drama-filled holdout, which eventually led to the 76ers moving Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that landed James Harden. In prior years, Simmons was the prince of the city. He won Rookie of the Year, established himself as one of the top defenders in the game, and put together a few All-Star campaigns as a triple-double threat.
The Sixers don’t need to manufacture excitement this season. They added one of the most prominent players the game has ever seen in LeBron. Before that, they struck a shocking blockbuster deal to add Jaylen Brown. Following a second-round sweep against the New York Knicks, the Sixers’ future looked bleak. Embiid battled injuries all year, yet again. Paul George wasn’t living up to the contract, and Tyrese Maxey couldn’t play hero-ball. Going into free agency, they had barely any spending power.
In a matter of weeks, the excitement meter went through the roof. The Sixers don’t need to rely on a feel-good story to bring excitement to the City of Brotherly Love when it comes to the hoops team. The Simmons rumors might be back around when the winter approaches due to his lack of security with the Kings, but block it out. If he’s struggling to make his minimum, then it’s not the type of player this Sixers roster should be eyeing.
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