Ben Simmons will remain on the Sacramento Kings roster despite suffering a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon during practice, avoiding a contract termination because league rules guarantee his salary while injured, according to reports by The Athletic and ESPN.
The Achilles Injury and Roster Impact
Ben Simmons sustained a torn right Achilles tendon during a weekend practice session ahead of the Sacramento Kings opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers, as confirmed by an MRI reported by ESPN reporter Shams Charania. The 30-year-old forward is scheduled to undergo surgery and is expected to miss the entirety of the 2026–27 NBA season. Simmons had signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal in September to serve as a backup point guard, scoring 14 points in a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Kings say an MRI has confirmed a torn right Achilles for Ben Simmons: https://t.co/b6cgg8tj0n pic.twitter.com/BzDhKPag4e
Why the Kings Will Not Waive Simmons
Although Simmons signed a non-guaranteed contract with one million dollars explicitly protected if he made the opening-night roster, the NBA’s salary-continuation rule changes his financial status. As reported by The Athletic, injured players on non-guaranteed deals must continue receiving their full salary until they regain their health. Waiving Simmons would not clear his roughly $2.5 million salary from Sacramento’s books, meaning the franchise would gain no financial relief by cutting him.
Trade Possibilities and Open Roster Spots
Rather than waiving the former No. 1 overall pick, the Sacramento Kings are expected to explore trade options utilizing Simmons’ expiring contract, according to The Athletic analyst John Hollinger.
Player Reaction and Career Context
Following the diagnosis, Simmons addressed the setback on his Instagram story, writing, “This injury is another chapter on my journey — not the end of my story.” The Australian-born player was originally selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and previously appeared in 18 games for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024–25 season, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in just over 16 minutes per contest. He spent the entire 2025–26 season out of the league before joining Sacramento in September.
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