Ben Simmons is reportedly taking three-point attempts in live play during Sacramento Kings training camp, according to his grandfather, signaling a potentially significant change for a player whose reluctance to shoot from beyond the arc has been a defining part of his NBA career.
Speaking on Matt and Kayla on Sactown Sports 1140, Simmons’ grandfather said the former No. 1 overall pick has regained his confidence and is willing to shoot without worrying about the immediate results.
“His hunger for the game is back… He comes to camp, he’s shooting threes in live play, doesn’t care whether they make or miss… That swagger, that confidence that he once had, is back,” he said.
Simmons has attempted almost no three-pointers throughout his NBA career. Across 383 regular-season games, he has averaged just 0.1 attempts from three-point range per game and has made only a handful of attempts, shooting 13.9% from beyond the arc.
The development would therefore represent a notable shift in Simmons’ offensive approach if it carries over into regular-season games. His value historically has come from his ability to attack the paint, create transition opportunities and facilitate without relying on perimeter shooting.
Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists over his NBA career while shooting 55.8% from the field. He has also averaged 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
His best stretch came early in his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons averaged 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 57 games during the 2019-20 season, earning All-Star, All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive First Team honors while finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He followed that with another All-Star season in 2020-21, averaging 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 58 games. Simmons finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and again earned All-Defensive First Team honors.
The 30-year-old is now attempting to revive his career with Sacramento after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. He agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings and is entering his 10th NBA season.
Simmons last played in 2024-25, appearing in 51 games between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per game while shooting 52.0% from the field.
Before joining Sacramento, Simmons underwent medical examinations, an on-court workout and meetings with head coach Doug Christie and the Kings’ staff. He also worked out for general manager Scott Perry in late August and participated in an Australian players-only minicamp.
Sacramento finished 22-60 last season and subsequently reshaped its roster around Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and 2026 first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr.
