Kings’ Murray, Simmons Will Make Preseason Debut Against Warriors

Ben Simmons and Keegan Murray will make their preseason debut for the Sacramento Kings on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors.

Simmons and Murray missed the first two games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday and Thursday. Their debuts come a day after James Ham shared concerns about Sacramento sitting its top players with no injury designation.

Both are returning healthy from injuries that hindered their availability. Murray dealt with a torn UCL in his left thumb early last season and nursed lingering ankle issues that limited him to a career-low 23 games.

He underwent surgery in April to remove loose bodies. The fifth-year forward is due for a bounce-back year after several seasons of regression.

Murray is an X-factor for the Kings. The team needs his 3-point shooting to maximize floor spacing with Domantas Sabonis and Darius Acuff Jr., and his perimeter defense to raise its defensive floor.

Sacramento finished tied as the worst 3-point shooting team at 30.4% and recorded the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history at 121.5. Its shooting and defense must improve to win games and increase its odds of landing a lottery pick as the NBA implemented the new lottery reform rules.

Simmons is making his debut in the Kings. General manager Scott Perry signed the 30-year-old to a one-year, $3.5 million deal on Sept. 4.

Perry sought out a veteran playmaker who could run the offense when Acuff or Sabonis are on the bench this offseason. Simmons was a home-run signing for the Kings and their limited resources.

He can push in transition off a defensive rebound, creating easy fast-break opportunities or threading passes into a tight window. Sacramento runs a fast-paced offense and will thrive off Simmons' playmaking.

The 6-foot-10 forward's underrated value is his defensive versatility. Simmons can switch out and guard the perimeter or bang with a center in the paint.

That makes it easier for coach Doug Christie to run a switching scheme on pick-and-roll coverage. Murray and Simmons can switch, forcing a crafty scorer to match up against another defensive-minded wing rather than a small guard to punish on a mismatch.

These preseason reps are vital for Sacramento's front court. Working together in practice is crucial, but in-game reps are valuable experience that practice cannot replicate.

Sacramento's wings will undergo their first preseason test against Golden State. They'll guard a shifty veteran in Steph Curry, who generates many open looks from the screens he receives.