Ben Simmons is expected to make his Sacramento Kings preseason debut later this week as the franchise takes a cautious approach to his return to game action.
Marc J. Spears reported Monday that Simmons could play Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers or Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. According to sources, Simmons is healthy and has had one of the strongest training camps on the Kings, but Sacramento wants to ramp him up cautiously.
The 30-year-old guard signed a one-year minimum contract with the Kings during the offseason. The deal is not fully guaranteed, giving Simmons another opportunity to establish himself after spending the previous year away from the NBA.
Simmons has emphasized how much he has enjoyed simply being back in a basketball environment.
“The best part is I just got normal soreness now. So, which is the best feeling in the world,” Simmons said during training camp. “Just being able to come out here and compete every day, and have that, you know, general soreness is a good thing. But I feel great.”
The former All-Star also expressed appreciation for the chance to return to competition.
“I think I’ve been through a lot, but this is I mean, I get to, you know, come in and compete now, so I’m just grateful to be here,” Simmons said.
His message from the Kings has been simple as he works his way back.
“Be me. Be me. Literally, that’s it. Be me,” Simmons said. “Don’t defer and just, you know, create and be myself.”
Simmons also praised head coach Doug Christie, describing him as someone who prioritizes his players while maintaining high expectations.
“I love it. I think he’s a people first guy. He really cares about us,” Simmons said. “He expects everybody to come in here focused, locked in when we have to come in to work. So yeah, but he’s been great.”
Simmons has also been putting work into his three-point shooting, although he dismissed the attention surrounding a viral clip of an airball.
“Repetition. I mean, I got an airball one and one of y’all posted it and that was the one that goes viral, but happens, you know,” Simmons said. “It’s basketball, you know. I get my shots up, get put work in. Is what it is.”
The veteran is also embracing a leadership role with Sacramento’s young roster.
“It’s just things if I see things on the court or I can help guys out,” Simmons said. “Just the details of the game. There’s a lot of things that you know when you come in as a rookie or a younger guy that you just don’t know. So it’s just trying to expedite the younger guys learning and decision-making.”
Simmons averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists during his first seven NBA seasons and earned three All-Star selections. He last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 51 games between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
He knows returning to his previous level defensively will take time.
“See, I’m getting there. I’ve been away from the game for a year, so I haven’t had to guard, you know, the top guys,” Simmons said. “But I’ll get there, you know, I’m working every day and pushing myself to get there.”
