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The two contenders Ben Simmons turned down to make NBA return with Sacramento Kings
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- The two contenders Ben Simmons turned down to make NBA return with Sacramento Kings
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Ben Simmons joined the Sacramento Kings on a one-year, veteran minimum contract for his comeback season in the NBA.
Simmons spent the 2025-26 season without an NBA team, healing up from the years of back injuries that saw his career nosedive from an MVP prospect to being out of the NBA.
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While Simmons rebuffed interest from teams last season in order to get 100% healthy, his decision to choose the Kings when he had other options has been incredibly interesting.
Ben Simmons turned down the Knicks and Warriors
The Athletic has reported that Simmons had tangible interest from the reigning NBA Champions, the New York Knicks, as well as the Golden State Warriors before he signed with the Kings.
"The Kings weren't the only team considering Simmons, as league sources say the Knicks and Warriors were also in the mix."
The Knicks would likely use Simmons as an end-of-the-rotation body to help maintain defensive pressure and perform as a secondary playmaker, identical to the spot minutes they gave Jeremy Sochan after signing him in the winter.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
The Warriors would use Simmons as Draymond Green's backup, with the pair sharing a play style as defense-first frontcourt playmakers.
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Green is a better shooter and one of the highest-IQ defensive players in the modern era, but Simmons is five inches taller while also being a more explosive athlete, provided he still has that athletic burst at 30 years old.
Neither team felt like a place where Simmons could truly re-establish his value as an NBA player, who has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over his career.
Why did Ben Simmons choose the Kings?
Playing for the Kings is as low as expectations can get in the NBA. Simmons won't be under the harsh New York or GSW media spotlight where every mistake would likely lead to strong national criticism.
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The Kings are not expected to be a playoff team, arguably having the second-lowest preseason expectations after the Memphis Grizzlies heading into the season.
Simmons can play a real role as a backup point guard behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr. or be a defensive frontcourt option to make Domantas Sabonis more viable as a winning center.
With the new lottery odds not incentivising tanking, the Kings will not only be able to deploy Simmons to help bolster their already poor expectations, but they will also be able to give him the minutes he wants to re-establish himself as an NBA player,
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