After Ben Simmons played in his first preseason game, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr had a message for the Sacramento Kings star.

Ben Simmons’ lackluster showing in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals back in 2021 changed his career trajectory. For the past five years he’s been trying to get back to the player he once was while only taking the court sporadically. During this time there have been no shortage of clips on the timeline showing that he might still have it.

Ben Simmons finished Saturday's exhibition against the Warriors with seven points (2-of-4 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs) and one assist.

Ben Simmons is likely to get his biggest playing opportunity yet since his departure from the 76ers.

Sacramento opens its season against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22, fittingly the last team Simmons played for before his time away from the NBA. Across 18 games with the Clippers, Simmons averaged five points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 52 per cent from the field.