​Ben Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings after spending the 2025-26 season away from the NBA. The former No. 1 overall pick is hoping to revive his career and prove that he can still contribute at the highest level. But his return to the league did not exactly receive a warm welcome from Stephen A. Smith.Ben Simmons Can’t Catch a Break as Stephen A. Smith Unloads on His ReturnSimmons entered the NBA with enormous expectations after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. At his best, he was an elite passer, defender and transition player who could impact games without relying heavily on scoring. But consistent injuries became one of the defining storylines of his career.During ESPN’s First Take, Smith delivered a brutally honest assessment of Simmons’ decision to return with the Sacramento Kings, questioning whether the veteran guard has done enough to deserve another opportunity in the league.Nov 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guards De’Aaron Fox (left) and Colby Jones (right) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images“It’s a one-year deal,” Smith said. “What is it, $3.5 million? Shay, is that what you said? Mm-hmm. Here’s my question, y’all: How come he isn’t paying Sacramento? He should be paying them to let him play. He should be paying them to let him play.“You see, it should be in reverse. He should be the first player in the NBA that actually pays the team to let him play in an NBA uniform, considering the thievery he engaged in for a few years, disguised as an NBA player, where he was scared of his own damn shadow, but never scared to pick up the check to get the money.“He should be paying them. That’s all I have to say about this, other than hopefully, with luck, someday he’ll return to being that outstanding player that he was before everything went awry.”Simmons now has another opportunity with Sacramento to change the narrative surrounding his career. After years of injuries, criticism and questions about his confidence, the Kings could provide him with a chance to rebuild his reputation.Miami Heat Passed on Ben Simmons as Kings Offered Better FitSimmons is getting another opportunity to revive his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, but the Miami Heat apparently did not view the former All-Star as the right fit for their current situation.According to Miami Heat reporter Ira Winderman, Miami passed on Simmons because the franchise is operating in a win-now mode and needs players capable of making an immediate impact.Apr 11, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) at the end of the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images“A team in win-now mode has to draw a valuation line between players who can be d