IndiaAIFounders — Ben Simmons Gearing Up For Major Comeback; Australia Coach Warns It’s Gonna Be Like 2016 For Former No. 1 Pick

Ben Simmons‘ one-year absence from the NBA has come to an end after he finally found a team in the Sacramento Kings.

The former No. 1 overall pick last played for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 season, and many thought it marked the beginning of a resurgence after several down years since leaving the Philadelphia 76ers, who selected him first overall in 2016.

Simmons was heralded as a phenomenon coming into the league. He was a big guard who was even compared to LeBron James because of his elite playmaking ability. He eventually lived up to those expectations, becoming an integral part of the Sixers’ Process alongside Joel Embiid.

He won Rookie of the Year, made the All-Star Game three times, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2020 and 2021. He also led the league in assists in 2020.

However, The Process was never completed. Simmons’ time with the Sixers ended in the most painful way, beginning with the infamous moment when he refused to take a shot during a crucial moment in their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. His relationship with some of his former teammates reportedly deteriorated as well.

Simmons found a new lease on his NBA career by signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings. While the deal is only for one season, he reportedly has no plans of going away anytime soon.

An NBA insider, citing Simmons’ sister, said the former All-Star is looking to stay with the Kings for longer this time.

Apr 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) gestures toward LA Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) to confirm his defensive assignment during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

“I don’t know if [Simmons’] sister would want me to share this, but when this [ESPN article] thing I’ve been working on comes out, y’all gonna be like, ‘This is dope,'” Marc Spears said.

“But yeah, she told me the one thing that’s interesting: he’s a pretty loyal guy. And if they gave him the opportunity and he does well, and they want him back, and it’s fair, I think he’d want to stay.”

Ben Simmons might surprise people

Simmons’ star has faded, and he is now taking minimum deals just to remain in the league.

He has continued working on his game, though, and former Australian and Houston Rockets assistant coach David Patrick is warning people not to underestimate his fellow Aussie.

“It’s gonna be like 2016 when he comes to camp and he’s shooting threes and live play doesn’t care where they make or miss and three-point,” Patrick said during a guesting in the Sactown Sports 1140 FM.

“Three-point shooting doesn’t define his career for whatever reason it has during his time in the NBA, but he would never attempted those shots. The last time I saw him, that swagger is back. He’s just, I think, more bought in to what’s needed and what’s expected, and has a (hunger) which I didn’t see until he was trying to be the number one pick in the draft.”

Nov 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guards De’Aaron Fox (left) and Colby Jones (right) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Shooting and confidence have been two of the major issues surrounding Simmons in recent years. There have been plenty of videos of him working on his shot, but doing it in practice could be very different from attempting those shots in a real NBA game.

With a fresh opportunity in Sacramento, Simmons will have another chance to prove that he can still be the player many expected him to become when he entered the league.