Kings officially sign Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons is officially back in the NBA.

The Kings have signed Simmons, according to the NBA’s transaction log, four days after his agreement with Sacramento was first reported.

Simmons is expected to receive a one-year deal worth roughly $3.5 million, the veteran minimum for a player with his NBA experience.

The former No. 1 overall pick did not play last season after spending time away from basketball and focusing on getting healthy. He worked out for the Kings multiple times this summer and underwent extensive medical testing before Sacramento decided to bring him aboard.

Now we’ll find out what’s left. Simmons, 30, was once one of the NBA’s better all-around players, earning three All-Star selections and twice making the All-Defensive first team. Injuries, particularly recurring back issues, derailed much of what came after.

The Kings don’t need that Ben Simmons. They drafted Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick and expect him to become their point guard of the future. Simmons can provide another ball-handler, defense, size and perhaps some veteran guidance behind him.

And if Simmons has recaptured even some of what made him special earlier in his career, Sacramento may have found something for the minimum.

Either way, the comeback is no longer theoretical. Ben Simmons is an NBA player again.