Ben Simmons’ NBA comeback has taken its most significant step yet, with Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry reportedly attending his workout in Florida.
The development provides the clearest evidence that Simmons is attracting genuine interest after sitting out the entire 2025–26 season.
It does not mean the Kings have offered him a contract or decided to place him on their roster. However, sending their leading basketball executive to watch Simmons in person represents considerably more than casual speculation.
Kings Confirm Interest in Simmons Workout
Sactown Sports reported that Perry travelled to Florida to evaluate Simmons as Sacramento searches for additional veteran depth.
“Sactown Sports is now officially reporting that Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry is in Florida,” reporter Carmichael Dave said.
“That’s 6’11 from LSU. Point guard, forward, centre, Ben. Ben Simmons!”
Dave cautioned against treating the workout as proof that a signing was imminent, revealing Simmons could have been one of several players Perry intended to assess.
“It’s a workout, guys,” he said.
“Calm down, everyone.”
However, he also described the feeling surrounding a potential agreement in two words: “guarded optimism”.
That is the appropriate way to view the situation.
Sacramento’s interest is real enough for Perry to watch Simmons work out, but there is no confirmed contract, guaranteed roster position or agreement between the parties.
Why Sacramento Could Take the Risk
The Kings are exploring options behind rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., whom they selected with the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Simmons would not provide conventional point-guard depth.
His inability to shoot consistently remains a major problem, particularly in half-court possessions. However, his size, passing and defensive versatility would allow Sacramento to use him across several positions.
At his best, Simmons could initiate the offence, defend opposing guards and wings, rebound and create transition opportunities.
He would also offer the Kings a veteran ball-handler without necessarily blocking Acuff’s development.
Sacramento reportedly has only 13 players on standard contracts and must add at least one more to satisfy the NBA’s regular-season minimum of 14. Simmons could compete with other experienced free agents for that position.
The financial risk would also be limited.
Simmons is reportedly prepared to sign for the veteran minimum, a dramatic fall from the maximum-level contract he previously held.
Sacramento would not be paying for the three-time All-Star Simmons once was. It would be betting that a healthy version can still provide enough defence, rebounding and playmaking to justify a place near the end of its rotation.
Simmons Already Has Another Offer
The Kings may not be Simmons’ only opportunity.
ESPN and Andscape reporter Marc J. Spears recently revealed the Australian had received a non-guaranteed training-camp offer from an unidentified Western Conference team.
“He does have an offer from a West team to come to a training camp,” Spears said.
“There’s a couple other teams that are interested, so I think maybe he’ll have an option soon that he really likes.”
The identity of that team has not been revealed.
Sacramento is also located in the Western Conference, but Perry attending the workout does not establish that the Kings made the existing offer. Connecting the two developments without further reporting would be speculation.
A non-guaranteed training-camp agreement would also mean Simmons must earn his roster position through preseason performances.
That may be the only realistic pathway available after his extended absence.
One Workout Cannot Erase the Concerns
Simmons last played in the NBA during the 2024–25 season, appearing in 51 games split between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
He averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game while shooting 52 per cent from the field.
Those numbers were a long way below his peak with Philadelphia.
Simmons made three consecutive All-Star teams between 2019 and 2021, earned two All-Defensive First Team selections and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021.
Recurring back and nerve problems then changed the direction of his career.
He missed the entire 2021–22 season, played only 42 games in 2022–23 and was restricted to 15 appearances the following year. Simmons returned for 51 games in 2024–25 but produced only a limited role after moving to the Clippers.
He then stepped away for the entire 2025–26 campaign.
Sacramento therefore needs to evaluate more than his skills.
The Kings must determine whether Simmons’ body can withstand an NBA schedule, whether his athleticism has returned and whether he is prepared to accept a reduced role without disrupting the development of their younger players.
Boomers Return Strengthens Comeback Bid
Simmons recently participated in a player-led Australian Boomers minicamp in Melbourne alongside NBA players including Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.
He appeared to move freely and publicly confirmed his desire to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
When asked whether he wanted to play for the Boomers, Simmons said: “Yeah, that’s why I’m here.”
“It’s a long way to fly just to not do it.”
Simmons has repeatedly withdrawn from Australian squads during his career, meaning training in Melbourne does not guarantee him a future place in the national team.
However, his attendance provided an opportunity to rebuild trust and demonstrate his fitness against NBA-level players.
Securing another NBA contract would considerably strengthen his case for eventual Boomers selection.
Sacramento Could Be Simmons’ Best Opportunity
The Kings are unlikely to compete for a championship immediately and should have more patience for Simmons than a genuine contender.
That could make Sacramento a better destination than the Lakers, Warriors or another team attempting to win immediately.
Simmons would not face the same expectation to transform a championship rotation. He could rebuild his career gradually while helping Acuff and Sacramento’s younger players.
The arrangement would still carry risks.
His lack of shooting could damage Sacramento’s spacing, his availability cannot be assumed and there is no guarantee that his former defensive explosiveness will return.
Yet at the veteran minimum, those risks become considerably easier to accept.
The most important development is not another offseason video showing Simmons making jump shots. It is that an NBA general manager considered him worth travelling across the country to evaluate.
Simmons has not completed his comeback.
For the first time, though, Sacramento appears ready to give him a legitimate chance to prove it is real.
