Steve Kerr had a great message on Ben Simmons’ NBA return

Ben Simmons’ NBA comeback has turned a lot of heads, and as far as Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is concerned, he’s just happy to see the former NBA Rookie of the Year winner back in the league.

“I wish him well,” Kerr said after the Warriors defeated Simmons and the Kings in a preseason game on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., via Brenden Nunes of Sactown Sports 1140. 

“I hope he has a really successful comeback, and I’m glad that he’s back in the league and competing. He’s a good testament to perseverance, coming back and giving another shot. I love that,” added the four-time NBA head coach.

Simmons was once one of the league’s best players, particularly during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, who selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. The former LSU Tigers star became a three-time NBA All-Star with the Sixers before his breakup with the team in 2022, when he was traded by Philly to the Brooklyn Nets.

He also later played for the Los Angeles Clippers. Simmons is still searching for the elite form he showed with the 76ers, and it remains to be seen whether he will find it with the Kings, who signed him to a 1-year, $3.5 million contract in the offseason.

The 30-year-old Simmons scored seven points on 2/4 shooting and added an assist in nine minutes of action in the Kings’ 111-106 preseason loss to the Warriors.