Ben Simmons's first practice with the Sacramento Kings has already become a viral punchline. Fresh footage from training camp shows the former All-Star airballing a three-point attempt, drawing immediate mockery from NBA fans online. Simmons is attempting a career revival on a one-year, $3.5 million deal after missing the entire 2025-26 season with back and nerve issues. The Kings are coming off a 124-118 victory over the Golden State Warriors on April 11, 2026, but hold a recent form of 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five outings.
The clip shows Simmons catching a pass on the perimeter and launching a three-pointer. The shot fell short, barely scraping the front of the net without touching the rim. It's a familiar sight for fans who have watched Simmons's offensive struggles play out publicly for years. This specific moment quickly spread across social media platforms, becoming the latest chapter in his complicated NBA narrative.
One fan commented, "I just can't rip him anymore. The jokes write themselves." Another pointed out the technical failure, writing, "Shot scraped the net. I'm crying." The sentiment from many was a mix of disbelief and weary humor, questioning if any off-season improvement had occurred. "Bro didn't work on anything. Still shooting airballs," read a typical post.
For the Kings, signing Simmons was a low-risk, high-reward gamble. The financial commitment is minimal, but the potential payoff is significant if he can regain even a fraction of his All-Defensive form. His playmaking and defensive versatility could be a real asset for a team looking to solidify its playoff credentials. However, this early visual evidence of his shooting woes shows the monumental challenge ahead.
The team's performance has been inconsistent, as shown by results like a 134-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on March 24, 2026, followed by a tighter 109-117 defeat to the same team weeks earlier. Integrating a player with Simmons's specific limitations and injury history adds another layer of complexity to their season planning. Head coach Mike Brown will need to design lineups that maximize Simmons's strengths while masking his glaring weakness.
All eyes will be on Simmons's performance in preseason games and his ability to contribute without being a liability on offense. The Kings don't need him to be a shooter, but they do need him to be a confident playmaker and elite defender. His health remains the primary concern after a long layoff. The organization will likely manage his minutes carefully, especially early on.
For fans, the reaction is a wait-and-see approach tinged with skepticism. The viral clip is a stark reminder of how far Simmons has fallen from his peak. His success in Sacramento depends almost entirely on factors beyond a jump shot: durability, mental resilience, and defensive impact. The Kings' upcoming schedule will provide the first real test of whether this partnership can work. If Simmons can help the team build on wins like their 117-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans from April 4, the jokes will slowly fade away.
