Ben Simmons says he is as good as he once was after Kings preseason game

Return to Action Against Golden State

Inserted into the starting lineup because Domantas Sabonis was sidelined, Simmons finished the outing with 7 points and 1 assist. He shot 2-of-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line while recording two turnovers and two early personal fouls. The performance marked his first game action in a full year, following a prolonged absence to recuperate from a chronic back injury.

It felt really good, Simmons said. When you’re out for a year and come back, it’s a good feeling to just be out there and compete and get the first one out of the way. During his brief stint on the court, he displayed short jumpers and one-handed floaters reminiscent of his All-Star tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, executing one such move against Golden State defender Draymond Green.

Health and the Speed of the Game

Attributing his renewed confidence entirely to his physical recovery, Simmons emphasized that his capabilities remain intact now that his back issues have subsided. A lot of it is just being healthy and being able to do what I do, and also adding to that, being more aggressive, Simmons said. I’m older now. I’m about the same player I was a few years ago, especially given that I’m healthy.

Simmons also noted a distinct shift in how he processes live game speed after accumulating years of professional experience. The game has just slowed down a lot for me, and I see a lot more now, he explained. Having a lot of years under my belt, the game has slowed down for me, and I can make better decisions. Obviously, I haven’t played in a year, but I still feel confident out there to make the right plays.

Simmons Signs Veteran Minimum Contract with Sacramento Kings

In Sacramento, Simmons faces minimal pressure to carry a franchise or shoulder a primary scoring load, a dynamic that aligns with his deliberate approach to physical reintegration. He signed a one-year, veteran minimum contract worth up to $3.52 million with the Kings during the offseason. The incentive-free agreement carries a salary cap hit of roughly $2.45 million for the franchise, preserving front office flexibility without committing multi-year guaranteed money.

Framing his current trajectory as a measured progression, Simmons outlined his plan for the upcoming campaign. It’s a buildup. It’s part of this process that I’m going through. Just being smart about it, but I feel great, he said. I put in a lot of work to get back here, so it’s just being smart about it. Obviously, I haven’t played in a year. This is my first time playing in a year. For me, it’s just doing the right things and being smart about it, and building from there because it’s going to be a long year.