The Sacramento Kings are signing former No. 1 overall pick and three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, giving the veteran another opportunity to revive his career. Simmons, 30, missed the 2025–26 season while recovering from lingering back and leg injuries, and he has been working toward an NBA comeback, including participating in a player-led minicamp with Australia’s national team. His most recent NBA season was in 2024–25, when he played 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. The Kings have been interested in Simmons since 2022 and now see him as a low-risk addition because of the team’s lack of point-guard depth behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr. With his 6-foot-10 frame and ability to play as a point forward, Simmons could provide playmaking, defense, veteran leadership, and mentorship for Sacramento’s young players. The signing could also benefit Simmons by allowing him to rebuild his value and potentially earn a larger contract next offseason or become a trade asset at the deadline. However, Simmons’ future remains uncertain after several injury-plagued seasons and a major decline in his scoring and willingness to shoot. Ultimately, his performance and ability to embrace a new role in Sacramento could determine whether he extends his NBA career for several more seasons or moves closer to retirement.

Michigan narrowly escaped a shocking upset against Western Michigan, winning 13–12 in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut after a controversial replay decision gave the Wolverines one final chance. With the clock appearing to reach zero, quarterback Bryce Underwood threw a Hail Mary that went out of bounds, seemingly ending the game. However, officials ruled that Western Michigan’s Micah Davis touched the ball with one second remaining because he had jumped from an out-of-bounds position, allowing Michigan another play. Underwood then made the most of the opportunity, connecting with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown pass to secure the dramatic victory. Although Michigan fans celebrated by storming the field, the team and coaches were disappointed with the overall performance, especially after entering the game as heavy favorites. The victory provided a much-needed escape but exposed significant weaknesses for a team trying to rebuild under Whittingham. Michigan will need to improve quickly because its next game is against No. 10 Oklahoma, and Whittingham acknowledged that another performance like this one could result in a much worse outcome.

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