The Sacramento Kings have signed former All-Star Ben Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, a move former NBA champion Antonio Daniels calls a smart gamble. This comes as the Kings look to rebound from a 122-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on April 13, 2026, part of a recent form of 2 wins and 3 losses (LWWLL).
Why is this a good gamble for the Kings?
Antonio Daniels sees this as a classic low-risk, high-reward scenario. Simmons' contract is minimal for the NBA, and the Kings are not under immediate championship pressure. They finished 14th in the Western Conference last season. Daniels believes the environment in Sacramento is perfect for Simmons to rebuild his game away from intense media scrutiny.
"You don't have to be the No. 1 overall pick. You don't have to do that, just see what you have," Daniels said. He emphasized checking on Simmons physically and mentally after his long absence. The Kings can afford to be patient and see if the three-time All-Star has anything left in the tank.
How does Ben Simmons fit with the current roster?
Simmons' role won't be as a primary scorer. The Kings drafted Darius Acuff Jr. Seventh overall in 2026 to be their point guard of the future. Acuff Jr. Is a strong on-ball creator from his time at Arkansas. Simmons' size and defensive versatility could help cover for the rookie's early defensive struggles.
His passing and ball-handling can also take playmaking pressure off Acuff Jr. This allows the rookie to develop, potentially even playing effectively off the ball. Simmons could act as a defensive anchor and secondary facilitator, a specific role that doesn't demand he be a star.
What can the Kings realistically expect?
This isn't a move that suddenly makes the Kings title contenders. But their roster has experienced players like Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis, De'Andre Hunter, Zach LaVine, and Keegan Murray. That's a solid group that can cause problems for opponents and play the spoiler role.
If Simmons can contribute even modestly with defense, rebounding, and transition play, he could help push the Kings toward playoff contention. The key is taking it one step at a time. The team's immediate goal is to improve on their recent 2W-3L form and climb the [standings](/standings).
For Simmons, the expectation is simply to play basketball. After not playing more than 52 games in any of his last three seasons and averaging under 7.0 points per game, the massive pressure he faced in Philadelphia is gone. In Sacramento, he has a chance to redefine his career on his own terms, focusing on the strengths he still possesses.
