The biggest news in the NBA leading into opening day is Ben Simmons' season-ending injury. While that leaves the Sacramento Kings looking for their next step now, they need to start planning for a future without Simmons. They absolutely cannot try this scenario out again in 2027-2028.
Every basketball fan knows Simmons' history with injuries. Back problems, among other issues, have kept him off the court for three full years at different times. Now, he's going to add another year to that list as he's missing the entire 2026-2027 season thanks to an Achilles tear in practice.
This is, by no means, Simmons fault. Over the past few seasons, there has been a deluge of Achilles tears and ruptures across the league. That includes both Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton, who are returning to active duty this season after missing all of the 2025-2026 season.
The Kings need to move forward without Simmons
At the same time, some players are just injury-prone. Joel Embiid always has something going on, as does Simmons. No one could have predicted Big Ben would tear his Achilles, but everyone knew that injury is always a big risk when working with him. That's why the Kings have to end this experiment.
When Sacramento signed Simmons, they gave him a non-guaranteed veteran minimum contract that was only good for this season and was worth $2.45 million. Because of the CBA, the Kings have to continue to pay Simmons while he's recovering. He's made a lot of money that way over the years.
That is what it is. What the Kings can't do is keep this going after this year's contract is up. Simmons might make a comeback one more time. He's only 30 and is a great basketball player when healthy. The problem with his entire career has been that he's often not been healthy enough to play.
Is it a comeback when all Simmons does is make comebacks?
Simmons has made comebacks from injuries an almost innumerable number of times at this point. He might have another one in him, but it's hard to say what the point would be if he tried. Even if another team gives him a chance, something like this will probably just happen again.
The reality of Ben Simmons is that he's never going to change. If it's not his back, it's his Achilles. If it's not his Achilles, it's his knee. If it's not his knee, it's his foot. No disrespect meant to the man or his skills, but he's dealt with 10 major injuries and surgeries since being drafted in 2016.
Sacramento is trying to get a rebuild off the ground. Using up valuable salary cap space or a roster spot on someone who is constantly on the bench is not going to help. The Kings have to part ways with Simmons when his contract is up, or end up in this type of situation again and again.
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