The Sacramento Kings are reportedly giving serious consideration to adding veteran point guard Ben Simmons after the former All-Star turned in an impressive performance during a private workout this offseason. According to reports, Simmons “looked fantastic” during a workout held for Sacramento in Florida on Thursday, potentially opening the door for one of the NBA’s most intriguing reclamation projects to begin a new chapter in California.
For Simmons, the workout represents more than another opportunity to impress an NBA team. It could be a critical step toward returning to the league after a difficult stretch that has significantly altered the trajectory of his career. The 6-foot-10 playmaker has not appeared in an NBA game since April 2025, when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers, and he subsequently missed the entire 2025-26 season.
Now, with the new season approaching, Simmons is reportedly looking to prove that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
Sacramento’s reported interest is particularly noteworthy because Simmons remains one of the more physically gifted perimeter players of his generation. At his peak, he was a unique offensive weapon capable of initiating an offense, defending multiple positions and creating opportunities for teammates without relying on a traditional jump shot. His size, passing ability and defensive versatility made him one of the NBA’s most fascinating young players when he entered the league.
The question now is whether he can recapture enough of that form to become a meaningful contributor again.
The private workout in Florida could be an important piece of that puzzle.
While private workouts rarely guarantee a contract, a strong showing can significantly change the perception surrounding a veteran free agent. For Simmons, who has endured injuries and questions about his long-term availability, convincing a team that his body is ready for the demands of an NBA season may be just as important as demonstrating his basketball skills.
Reports that Simmons looked “fantastic” during the session will naturally generate attention around the league, especially considering how long it has been since he last played meaningful NBA basketball.
The Kings could provide an interesting landing spot.
Sacramento has been searching for ways to strengthen its roster and add versatility, and Simmons’ skill set is difficult to replicate. A healthy Simmons could potentially give the Kings another ball-handler and facilitator while allowing them to experiment with larger lineups. His ability to defend multiple positions could also provide Sacramento with a different defensive dimension.
The biggest attraction, however, may be his passing.
During his best years, Simmons was one of the league’s most dangerous transition playmakers. At 6-foot-10, he could grab a defensive rebound, push the ball himself and create scoring opportunities before opposing defenses had time to establish their coverage. Few players his size possessed the combination of speed, vision and passing creativity that Simmons displayed.
That version of Simmons became an All-Star three times and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive recognition. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after entering the league with the Philadelphia 76ers.
His career, however, has taken a dramatically different path since then.
Simmons became the subject of intense scrutiny after his struggles during Philadelphia’s 2021 playoff run. Questions surrounding his offensive confidence, particularly his reluctance to shoot in critical situations, became a major storyline. His relationship with the 76ers deteriorated, eventually leading to his trade to the Brooklyn Nets.
The move to Brooklyn was supposed to provide a fresh start.
Instead, injuries prevented Simmons from establishing the consistency necessary to regain his previous form.
Back problems became a major obstacle, while other physical issues continued to limit his availability. Rather than building momentum with a new organization, Simmons found himself repeatedly working his way back from injuries.
His time with the Nets eventually ended, and he later joined the Clippers, where he was hoping to contribute to a veteran team with championship aspirations. But his time in Los Angeles did not result in the sustained comeback many had hoped to see.
The fact that Simmons has now gone an entire season without appearing in an NBA game makes the Sacramento workout especially significant.
At this stage of his career, Simmons does not necessarily need to return as the player who once averaged nearly 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. The more realistic goal may be finding a role that maximizes what he can still do while minimizing the areas that have historically created problems.
That could make Sacramento an intriguing destination.
The Kings would not necessarily need Simmons to become their primary offensive engine. Instead, they could use him as a secondary playmaker, defensive specialist and transition catalyst. His size could allow Sacramento to create mismatches against smaller guards, while his passing could help keep the offense moving when the ball is taken out of the hands of the team’s primary creators.
If Simmons can consistently defend, rebound and facilitate, he could provide value without needing to become a high-volume scorer.
That distinction could be crucial.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Simmons has always been his offensive aggression. Opposing teams have frequently been willing to give him space because of concerns about his willingness to shoot from the perimeter. But if he can embrace a role built around attacking the basket, making quick decisions, defending at a high level and moving the ball, he could still become a useful NBA player.
Sacramento may be looking at precisely that possibility.
The Kings also have a history of benefiting from players who can create offense in unconventional ways. A player with Simmons’ size and passing instincts could offer a different look compared with traditional backup point guards.
Imagine Simmons grabbing a rebound and immediately pushing the pace. Instead of waiting for a guard to bring the ball up, he can initiate the offense himself. That ability could create transition opportunities and allow Sacramento to play faster.
His defensive potential could be equally important.
At his best, Simmons was capable of guarding guards, wings and even larger forwards. His combination of height, lateral mobility and strength made him an imposing defender. He could switch onto different positions and use his size to disrupt passing lanes.
For a Kings team looking for roster flexibility, that versatility could make Simmons an attractive low-risk opportunity if the financial terms are favorable.
The key phrase is “if healthy.”
That has been the central issue throughout the second half of Simmons’ career.
Talent has never been the question. Availability has.
The Kings will almost certainly have to conduct their own medical evaluations before making a final decision. A strong private workout can demonstrate movement, conditioning and basketball ability, but an NBA season is a completely different test. The physical demands of training camp, preseason games and an 82-game regular season are substantial.
Sacramento would therefore have to determine whether Simmons can withstand those demands.
The reported performance in Florida is nevertheless encouraging.
For a player who has spent so much time away from the court, looking sharp during a private workout can serve as an important confidence boost. It can also give teams a reason to reconsider assumptions about his current abilities.
There is no guarantee that Simmons will sign with Sacramento. There is also no indication that a deal is imminent based solely on the reported workout. But the Kings’ reported interest suggests that his name is once again receiving serious attention in NBA circles.
That alone represents progress for Simmons.
A year ago, the biggest question was whether he could get back on the floor consistently. Now, he is reportedly working out for teams and generating positive feedback.
That is the kind of development his camp needed.
The NBA is full of players who have reinvented themselves later in their careers. Sometimes the key is accepting a smaller role and finding value in areas that do not require a player to be the focal point.
Simmons may have to do exactly that.
He was once expected to become one of the faces of the NBA. His combination of size, athleticism and playmaking made him an extraordinary prospect, and Philadelphia believed he could eventually become the centerpiece of a championship roster.
Those expectations became increasingly difficult to meet as injuries and offensive limitations changed the way teams viewed him.
But expectations are different now.
Simmons no longer needs to prove that he can be a franchise player. He needs to prove that he can help an NBA team win basketball games.
That could mean defending the opponent’s best perimeter player for stretches. It could mean initiating the offense against second units. It could mean grabbing rebounds, pushing the pace and creating easy scoring opportunities for teammates.
It could also mean accepting that his role may look very different from what it was during his All-Star years.
For Sacramento, that could actually be a positive.
The Kings would not necessarily be signing Simmons because they expect him to become a 20-point-per-game scorer. They would be betting on the possibility that a healthy Simmons can contribute in several areas while giving the roster another layer of versatility.
And if the workout reports are accurate, Sacramento apparently saw enough to keep that possibility alive.
The Kings could also benefit from giving Simmons an opportunity in a less pressurized environment than some of his previous stops. His career has been accompanied by enormous expectations, particularly because of his draft status and early success.
A new beginning could allow him to focus on playing basketball rather than answering questions about what he was supposed to become.
That does not eliminate the challenges.
Simmons would still need to prove that he can stay healthy. He would need to demonstrate consistent offensive aggression. He would need to show that his conditioning is sufficient for NBA competition. And he would need to convince Sacramento’s coaching staff that he can fit within its system.
But those are questions that can be answered on the court.
The most important development is that Simmons appears to have another opportunity to answer them.
His last NBA appearance came in April 2025 with the Clippers. Since then, the 2025-26 season passed without him taking the floor. For an athlete who once looked destined for NBA superstardom, that absence has been difficult to ignore.
Now, the reported Kings workout offers a potential turning point.
A successful comeback would not necessarily require Simmons to return to his Philadelphia-era production. In fact, trying to recreate that exact version of himself may be unnecessary. The modern NBA values versatility, and Simmons possesses a combination of physical tools that very few players can match.
At 6-foot-10, he can still see over smaller defenders. If his health allows him to move comfortably and confidently, he can still make difficult passes that ordinary guards cannot see. His defensive instincts remain a potential asset, and his transition ability could help change the pace of a game.
Those qualities do not simply disappear because a player has endured injuries.
The challenge is getting them back consistently.
For the Kings, the decision will ultimately come down to risk versus reward.
If Simmons is healthy, motivated and willing to accept a specialized role, Sacramento could potentially land a veteran with considerable upside without having to expect him to carry the offense. If his physical issues continue to limit him, however, the Kings would need to move on.
That is why the reported Florida workout matters.
It gives Sacramento an opportunity to see Simmons up close rather than relying exclusively on film from previous seasons. The Kings can evaluate his movement, conditioning, passing, defense and overall competitiveness.
And if he truly “looked fantastic,” as reported, it may be enough to move the conversation forward.
For Simmons, meanwhile, this is about earning another chance.
He has already experienced the highest highs of NBA success and some of the most difficult moments of his professional career. He has been an All-Star, a defensive standout, a playoff focal point and, eventually, a player whose future in the league became uncertain.
Now, the next chapter could begin in Sacramento.
Nothing is official yet, and no contract should be assumed until the Kings make a formal move. But the reported interest is significant because opportunities become increasingly valuable for veteran players attempting to return after an extended absence.
Simmons appears to have one.
If he can turn the momentum from Thursday’s workout into a training-camp invitation and eventually a roster spot, Sacramento could become the stage for one of the NBA’s most fascinating comeback stories.
The talent has never been difficult to identify. The challenge has always been seeing that talent consistently available on an NBA floor.
The Kings now appear willing to find out whether Simmons can change that narrative.
For a player who has not played since April 2025, the reported workout could be the beginning of something much bigger: a legitimate path back to NBA relevance.
And if Simmons really did look as good as reports suggest, Sacramento may soon have a very interesting decision to make.
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