Ben Simmons made his first public comments as a Sacramento King on Monday, September 28, delivering a defiant message to his doubters. The 6-foot-10 guard, signed to fill the team's final roster spot, forcefully rejected claims he lacks passion for the game after missing the entire 2025-26 season. His arrival comes as the Kings aim to solidify their rotation, having posted a recent form of 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five outings.
Simmons didn't hold back when addressing the narrative surrounding his extended absences. He attributed his time away primarily to physical rehabilitation, not a lack of desire. "All these people talk about I don't love the game. That's (expletive)," Simmons stated bluntly. He emphasized that his dedication was proven by taking a full year to focus on recovery. The guard also dismissed much of the external noise as content designed for clicks and podcast engagement, stating he's reached a point in his career where he's no longer worried about it.
The Kings are betting on a healthy and motivated Simmons to provide unique versatility. His ability to play multiple positions, facilitate offense, and defend at a high level could be a significant boost. Integrating a player of his potential is a key storyline for Sacramento's upcoming campaign. The team's performance has been mixed lately, with a notable 124-118 victory over the Golden State Warriors on April 11, but also a tough 134-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on March 24. Simmons' health and mindset will be critical factors as they look to improve consistency.
With training camp underway, the immediate focus is on getting Simmons acclimated to his new teammates and the team's system. His chronic back problems and past leg injuries are the primary concern, but he declared himself fresh and ready to play. The Kings' coaching staff will likely manage his minutes carefully in the preseason. How he fits alongside the core players will be a major point of observation. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page as the new season approaches.
Simmons' journey back to the NBA floor is one of the more intriguing subplots in the league. For the Sacramento Kings, it represents a calculated gamble. If he can recapture even a portion of his All-Star form, he becomes a major X-factor. The team's recent results, including a 117-113 win against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, show they can compete. Adding a motivated Ben Simmons to that mix could change their ceiling. That is not yet clear if this partnership proves successful, but the player's message at his introduction was unmistakably clear.
