Ben Simmons declared himself fully recovered and ready to dominate games as the Sacramento Kings opened their 2026-27 season under low external expectations, basket-count.com reported. The three-time All-Star guard, who played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 campaign before spending last season out of the league without a contract, stated that a full year away from basketball to heal knee and back injuries was the best decision of his career.
Sacramento Enters 2026-27 Season Facing Low Expectations
The Kings enter the 2026-27 season with little of the public enthusiasm or high projections seen around other franchises. After making their first playoff appearance in 17 years during the 2022-23 season—which ended in a first-round exit—Sacramento has experienced declining win totals, sliding from 46 to 40 and then down to 22 victories. Front-office changes dismantled the veteran-heavy rotation, but core pieces Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray have not recaptured their 2023 form, leaving major questions about the roster’s trajectory. Most preseason projections slate the team for roughly 22 wins once again.
Ben Simmons Returns Seeking Redemption After Injury Hiatus
Simmons became the focal point of the team's media day availability, highlighting the franchise's difficult roster situation. Drafted first overall a decade ago, the 6-foot-10 playmaker has played sparingly since a contentious departure from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 was followed by chronic back and knee trouble.
“My condition is flawless, and I can play without any restrictions,” Simmons stated during media day. “It feels like I’ve returned to where I’m supposed to be. I spent this past year taking time to properly address my body. Taking a year off to focus entirely on treatment was the best decision of my career.”
Simmons Ignores Critics to Focus on Recovery
During his year away from the floor, Simmons avoided watching games on television and limited his basketball activities to rehabilitation. He noted that outside commentary regarding his career trajectory became background noise. “Everyone just wants view counts or wants to make their podcast go viral, so I stopped paying attention to it,” Simmons said. “Before, I used to feel like I was hitting a wall, but now it doesn’t bother me at all.”
While external observers view the Kings’ signing of Simmons as a low-risk gamble on an uncertain roster, the player intends to answer those doubts on the court. “This team doesn’t have much expected of them from the outside, which is something I’ve carried my whole career, so I think we share that connection,” Simmons said. “We have a chip on our shoulder, but mine is directed at myself rather than anyone else.”
Kings Prepare for Simmons Debut in Regular Season
Sacramento continues its preseason preparations ahead of the upcoming regular-season schedule, where Simmons is slated to make his debut in a Kings uniform. The team will look to prove external projections wrong when the opening night tip-off arrives.
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