Richard Jefferson believes Ben Simmons still has the talent to become an All-Star next season, although he cautioned against placing firm expectations on the new Sacramento Kings guard.
Discussing what the NBA should expect from Simmons, Jefferson emphasized the mental side of returning from a difficult stretch of injuries and limited availability.
“I think you should have no expectations. There are certain basketball, just like many other sports, as much as it is physical, it is mental,” Jefferson said on ESPN Australia, via HoopsHype.
Jefferson nevertheless believes Simmons remains capable of reaching a level he has previously demonstrated in the NBA.
“Ben’s always have the talent. Ben has the talent to be an All-Star this year,” Jefferson said.
Simmons has not played since the 2024-25 season and spent the entire 2025-26 campaign away from the NBA. He agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Sacramento to return for his 10th NBA season.
The 30-year-old point forward last played 51 games between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per game while shooting 52.0% from the field.
His previous peak provides the basis for Jefferson’s assessment. Simmons was a three-time All-Star and made the All-NBA Third Team in 2019-20, when he averaged 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 57 games for the Philadelphia 76ers.
He followed that with 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 58 games in 2020-21. Simmons finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting that season and earned All-Defensive First Team honors.
Jefferson also pointed to Simmons’ defensive versatility as a potential strength if he returns healthy.
“If Ben goes and has the best season, he’s healthy, his back is right, he has the talent to be an all-defensive player, to be a defensive player of the year level talent because he can guard one through five positions,” Jefferson said.
Simmons recently underwent an extensive evaluation with the Kings that included medical examinations, an on-court workout and meetings with head coach Doug Christie and his staff. He also worked out for general manager Scott Perry in late August and participated in an Australian players-only minicamp.
Over seven NBA seasons, Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 383 games, shooting 55.8% from the field. He has also averaged 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks.
His opportunity in Sacramento comes with the Kings entering a major transition. Sacramento finished 22-60 in 2025-26, tied for the worst record in the Western Conference, before selecting Darius Acuff Jr. No. 7 overall and adding Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp.
The Kings also waived DeMar DeRozan and lost Russell Westbrook to retirement while retaining Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud and Malik Monk.
