Ben Simmons has reportedly impressed during his latest private workout as the Sacramento Kings move closer to making a decision on the Australian’s NBA comeback.
Sacramento general manager Scott Perry travelled to Florida to watch Simmons train after the former All-Star sat out the entire 2025–26 season.
A person who attended the workout subsequently delivered a glowing assessment of Simmons’ condition.
“Somebody who was at those workouts said that Ben Simmons ‘looked fantastic’,” Sacramento radio host Carmichael Dave said.
The report is encouraging, but it does not mean Simmons has received or accepted a contract from the Kings.
Kings GM Watches Simmons in Person
Perry’s decision to attend the Florida workout provides the clearest evidence that Sacramento’s interest is genuine.
NBA executives do not personally travel across the country to evaluate every available veteran.
The Kings need additional depth and are assessing whether Simmons can still provide enough defence, passing and versatility to justify a roster position.
Carmichael Dave previously described the feeling surrounding a potential agreement as “guarded optimism” but warned against assuming a signing was imminent.
“It’s a workout, guys,” he said.
“Calm down, everyone.”
That remains the appropriate qualification.
Simmons may have impressed during the session, but Sacramento must still determine whether his body can survive an NBA schedule and whether his game fits its developing roster.
Who Said Simmons “Looked Fantastic”?
The positive assessment did not come directly from Perry, the Kings or Simmons’ representatives.
Carmichael Dave attributed it to an unidentified person who attended the workout.
That means the claim cannot be independently tested, and the specific elements that impressed the observer remain unknown.
There is no confirmation whether Simmons participated in full five-on-five basketball, how he moved under game pressure or how his back responded after the session.
Offseason workout reports must always be treated carefully, particularly with Simmons.
Videos of the Australian making jump shots and moving confidently have regularly appeared during previous offseasons without translating into a dependable NBA role.
The important difference this time is that a general manager was reportedly present to make his own assessment.
Simmons Also Trains With Victor Oladipo
Simmons has separately been seen working alongside former All-Star Victor Oladipo at the University of Miami’s basketball facility.
Oladipo is attempting his own comeback after serious knee injuries dramatically interrupted his career.
Training with another experienced NBA player should provide Simmons with a more realistic test than individual shooting videos.
However, neither player currently has an NBA contract, and a private workout cannot recreate the speed, contact or physical demands of regular-season basketball.
For Simmons, the largest question is not whether he can complete one impressive session.
It is whether he can remain healthy enough to train, travel and play consistently across several months.
Sacramento Could Offer a Realistic Role
The Kings may represent a better opportunity than a championship favourite expecting immediate high-level production.
Sacramento selected Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and needs to protect the rookie’s development without placing excessive playmaking responsibility upon him.
Simmons could provide an experienced secondary ball-handler capable of organising the offence, creating transition opportunities and defending several positions.
He would not need to become the 16-point-per-game scorer seen during his peak with Philadelphia.
A productive role could involve:
- Defending larger guards and forwards.
- Initiating fast breaks after defensive rebounds.
- Creating open shots for Sacramento’s scorers.
- Operating as a screener and short-roll passer.
- Providing size at multiple positions.
Those skills could still carry value even if Simmons never becomes a credible outside shooter.
Shooting Problem Has Not Disappeared
Simmons’ limitations remain obvious.
Defenders will continue to leave him open outside the paint and use the additional space to protect the basket.
That can damage Sacramento’s half-court offence, particularly if Simmons shares the floor with another non-shooter or traditional centre.
His reluctance to attack the basket and shoot free throws became as damaging as his inability to make three-pointers during the latter stages of his previous NBA run.
The Kings must determine whether Simmons is prepared to play aggressively enough for his passing to remain dangerous.
If he refuses open lay-ups or avoids contact, defenders can focus upon his teammates without respecting him as a scoring threat.
No private workout can completely answer that question.
Injuries Changed Simmons’ Career
Simmons last played during the 2024–25 season, appearing in 51 games split between Brooklyn and the 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 far below the production that made him one of the NBA’s best young players in Philadelphia.
Simmons earned three consecutive All-Star selections between 2019 and 2021, twice made the All-Defensive First Team and finished second in the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Recurring back and nerve problems then disrupted his athleticism and availability.
He missed the entire 2021–22 campaign, played 42 games the following season and managed only 15 appearances in 2023–24.
Simmons returned for 51 games in 2024–25 before spending all of last season outside the league.
At 30, his comeback depends less upon rediscovering confidence than proving his body can consistently perform.
Kings Would Carry Little Financial Risk
Simmons is reportedly prepared to sign for the veteran minimum or accept a non-guaranteed training-camp agreement.
That dramatically reduces Sacramento’s exposure.
The Kings would not be committing significant salary-cap space or building their team around his recovery.
A non-guaranteed contract would allow Simmons to participate in training camp and preseason before Sacramento makes a final roster decision.
If his movement, durability or fit proves inadequate, the Kings could release him without carrying a substantial long-term financial burden.
If he performs well, Sacramento may secure an experienced former All-Star for close to the lowest salary permitted under league rules.
That makes the experiment difficult to criticise.
Another Western Team Has Made an Offer
ESPN and Andscape reporter Marc J. Spears previously revealed Simmons 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.”
Sacramento plays in the Western Conference, but there is no confirmation it made that offer.
Perry attending Simmons’ workout cannot be treated as proof that the Kings are the unnamed team.
The possibility that multiple teams are evaluating him should improve Simmons’ chances of receiving an NBA opportunity, even if Sacramento ultimately chooses another player.
Boomers Return Strengthens Comeback Attempt
Simmons recently attended a player-led Australian Boomers minicamp in Melbourne alongside Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and other national-team candidates.
He moved freely during the available footage and confirmed his ambition to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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.”
His attendance does not guarantee a future national-team position.
Simmons has withdrawn from multiple Australian campaigns, meaning he must rebuild trust and demonstrate sustained availability before selection can be assumed.
Returning to the NBA would represent an important first step.
Best Evidence Yet That Comeback Is Real
Supporters have seen enough Simmons offseason workout footage to remain sceptical.
One anonymous review describing him as “fantastic” should not erase years of injuries, declining production and unavailable seasons.
The difference is who came to watch.
Sacramento sent its general manager to evaluate Simmons in person. Perry could assess his movement, fitness and attitude without relying upon carefully selected social-media footage.
There is still no confirmed Kings contract.
But an NBA decision-maker considered Simmons worth travelling to Florida to see—and reportedly watched him perform well.
That does not complete the comeback.
It gives Simmons his most credible opportunity yet to begin one.
