Simmons Returns to Kings Amid Firestorm | Sacramento Kings News

Ben Simmons is back in the NBA, signing a one-year, $3.5M deal with the Sacramento Kings — a rebuilding team offering him a fresh start with less pressure. After sitting out last season to focus on his health, he’s reportedly healthy and ready to compete, having cleared medical and on-court evaluations and even joined Australia’s national team minicamp. But not everyone’s cheering: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has gone nuclear, suggesting Simmons should pay the Kings to play — calling him “scared to play but never scared to get paid” and joking he’d be the first player in history to do so. With his career in freefall since 2021’s playoff collapse, this move could be his shot at redemption — or another chapter of controversy. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d9c455c777069b81