KJ Simpson Expected To Sign With Galatasaray

The 42nd overall pick in the 2024 draft, Simpson spent about a season-and-a-half on a two-way contract with the Hornets before being waived by Charlotte at the 2026 trade deadline. He signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Nuggets a couple weeks later, but was cut by Denver near the start of training camp this fall when the team needed to open up a two-way slot for newcomer Ryan Nembhard.

A two-time member of the All-Pac-12 team for the Colorado Buffaloes, Simpson has played a modest role at the NBA level, making 56 total appearances (17 starts) and averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 assists in 19.6 minutes per night, with an underwhelming .345/.265/.765 shooting line.

Simpson has been more impressive in the G League, where he has averaged 19.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 4.9 RPG on .455/.390/.841 shooting in 30 career outings for the Greensboro Swarm and the Grand Rapids Gold. He was also named to the NBA’s All-Summer League team in 2025 as a member of the Hornets squad that won the championship in Las Vegas.

Assuming the deal is officially finalized, Simpson will be joining a Galatasaray team that competes in Turkey’s top domestic league as well as FIBA’s Basketball Champions League. Big man Chimezie Metu and 2018 lottery pick Jerome Robinson are among the other former NBA players on the club’s roster.