Ben Simmons’ path to Sacramento came down to one thing: the Kings actually went out and watched him work.
That, at least, was Simmons’ read on how his offseason played out. Speaking at Media Day with NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason and Morgan Ragan, he said the team that showed up in person to evaluate him ended up being the one that made the real move.
“It’s not in the cocky way or anything, but for me, I knew the first team that came to see me, to see where I was at physically and on the court, they were going to sign me,” Simmons said. “That’s how I felt from the moment [general manager] Scott [Perry] came down and saw me.”
Perry made the trip to Florida in late August to watch Simmons work out, then sat down with him for an hour-long meeting. After that, Simmons came to Sacramento for medical testing, an on-court workout and meetings with coach Doug Christie and other staff members before agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
Other teams were in the mix, but Simmons said those conversations were mostly centered on camp invites and fighting for a spot rather than a clear path onto the roster.
“I had a bunch of teams that wanted me to come to camps and play for a spot and things like that, which is fine,” Simmons said. “I think they would have had different decisions if they had seen me. But I think I’m right where I need to be at the right time.”
That self-assurance is coming after a lost 2025-26 season, when Simmons didn’t appear in a game at all amid a long run of injury problems that stretched back to his time in Philadelphia and Brooklyn. He said the biggest difference now is simple: he feels healthy.
“I’m just excited to get going and be able to do it healthy -- with nothing in the back of my mind where I can be hesitant with certain things,” Simmons said. “I’m taking a few hits already in practice and it felt great. I’m ready to go.”
For Sacramento, the bet on Simmons is clear. The Kings brought him in for size, playmaking and defensive versatility behind rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr., and if he’s healthy and confident, even in a limited offensive role, that’s the version they were banking on when Perry flew to Florida.
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