Australian Ben Simmons's NBA return hit a brutal setback on Sunday as the Sacramento Kings announced the former number one draft pick had torn his right Achilles tendon in training.
"Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons was injured during a live drill in practice on Sunday," the Kings said in a statement. "An MRI revealed a torn right Achilles tendon. Simmons will undergo surgery. Further updates will be provided as appropriate."
Simmons had missed last season with nagging back injuries but agreed to a one-year deal with the Kings in September.
The 30-year-old point guard was the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by Philadelphia but missed the 2016-17 campaign with a broken right foot.
He earned the 2018 Rookie of the Year award, but his injury-plagued tenure in Philadelphia ended acrimoniously in 2022 and he last played in the NBA in early 2025 as a reserve with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game over eight NBA seasons, producing his best numbers with the 76ers before sitting out the 2021-22 campaign then being traded to Brooklyn, where he struggled and was waived in 2025 before finishing the season with the Clippers.
Simmons had boosted interest from clubs in August after a strong training camp with the Australian national team.
The Kings were 22-60 last season. They have reached the playoffs only once since 2006, falling to Golden State in the first round in 2023.
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