The Ben Simmons storyline in the lead-up to the 2026-27 season is quite an interesting one. The former Philadelphia 76ers star is now set to receive a huge career break despite a year-long absence in the league, giving him an opportunity to rewrite his story after his unceremonious exit from the franchise. Well, he has the Sacramento Kings to thank for that, as the belief around the league is that he will be starting games for his new ball club to begin the campaign.
No one probably saw that coming, especially since Simmons did not exactly take a one-year sabbatical on a high note. He had a pretty forgettable stint with the LA Clippers in his most recent action in the league, but it appears that the basketball gods are smiling on him right now. After all, this is probably his biggest playing opportunity since his 76ers tenure.
Ben Simmons is set to get his biggest break yet after his 76ers stint
So far, Simmons has appeared in just one preseason game for the Kings. However, he did start as a nominal forward for Sacramento, and it appears that this will be the status quo for him and his new team to kickstart the season.
Since leaving the 76ers, Simmons has had turbulent opportunities, especially with the Nets. While he was a regular starter for Brooklyn when he was in uniform, he was simply not a good fit with the team. It is way too early to say that the Kings will be any different, but right now, Sacramento is actually some sort of a blank canvas.
The Kings are hoping to rehabilitate the former All-Star's value for whatever reason, and starting him is the best way to unleash him at this point. Given that Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Darius Acuff Jr. are going to be the main gunners, the former 76ers star will be more of a complementary piece, which is actually ideal.
Simmons is still a great playmaker and defender, and those are traits that could fit well next to Sacramento's core. He does not have to be the world-beater he was, for the most part, when he was the franchise player on the 76ers with Joel Embiid, which takes a lot of pressure off him.
The divisive star may never get back to his All-Star form, but given where he is in his career, a stable starting role is already the best-case scenario. In fact, this is gearing up to be his biggest shot at being a solid contributor since his departure from the 76ers, and he definitely cannot waste it.
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