What happened: The Kings guard said he spent his year away from the court dealing with physical problems that fueled outside criticism. He cast the absence as a recovery period rather than a question of commitment.

Why it matters: The timing matters as Sacramento works Simmons into its guard rotation for the upcoming 2026-27 season. It adds context to Ben Simmons' return with the Kings after he recently pushed back on claims he had lost his love for basketball.

What to watch: Watch whether Simmons is available for Sacramento's next preseason appearance and how the Kings deploy him as camp moves forward.