NBA legends' hope for Simmons amid doubts

NBA greats Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin have backed a rejuvenated Ben Simmons to reproduce some of his best basketball, as long as the Australian veteran's head is in the game.

A raft of critics questioned Simmons' love of the sport after he sat out all of last season and chose not to pick up a basketball during his time off.

But the Melbourne-born 30-year-old called "bullshit" on those claims ahead of the new season, insisting his extended break was purely about mending his battered body and mind.

Simmons, who has been plagued by injuries during his decade-long career, is back in the world's best league on a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings worth $US3.5 million ($A4.9 million).

"Hopefully he's excited to play," Hall of Famer Nowitzki said at the NBA on Prime launch in New York.

"I think that was some of the issue - he lost some of his passion for the game - so hopefully he's regaining that."

A three-time All-Star (2019-2021) before injuries took hold, Simmons has shown some encouraging signs with Sacramento while being carefully managed through the pre-season.

The former No.1 draft pick is tipped to join rookie Darius Acuff and fellow veteran Zach LaVine in the starting line-up when the Kings open the regular season away to the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22 (AEDT).

"So far in pre-season he's been playing good, he's looking good and his body's ready," Nowitzki said.

"I wish him well because when he first got in the league he was so exciting, so explosive, so athletic and making plays off the dribble.

Griffin played briefly alongside Simmons with the Brooklyn Nets and believes his former teammate will have a point to prove in his comeback under Kings coach Doug Christie.

"We haven't seen him healthy in a long, long time," six-time All-Star Griffin said.

"(In Brooklyn) he wasn't right. His back wasn't right and obviously the years that followed showed that and he had to have a procedure.

"But he is incredibly talented, he's a big body and he can defend so many positions. Downhill he gets to the rim and he's a great passer.