The Sacramento Kings' backcourt added some new faces this offseason, with Darius Acuff Jr. and Ben Simmons already impressing head coach Doug Christie at training camp.
As training camp gets underway across the NBA, rebuilding teams like the Sacramento Kings are beginning to figure out which players will have significant responsibilities this upcoming season.
On Wednesday, head coach Doug Christie identified Darius Acuff Jr. and Ben Simmons as the early standouts, praising the pair for their communication and coachability.
"He wants to be good, he wants to be coached," Christie said about Acuff. "For a young player, that is really a positive."
This has been the reporting surrounding the reigning SEC Player of the Year since he arrived in Sac Town, with Acuff focusing on helping the Kings get back to winning ways and carving out his own legacy.
Last Friday, Kings General Manager Scott Perry joined SacTown Sports' Radio, where he talked about the upcoming season and what he expects from his top pick.
Perry admitted that Acuff will have a lot on his shoulders as a rookie, but said that the franchise is willing to roll with the "bumps and bruises."
He seconded Christie's remarks about his drive to be great, calling that Acuff's most impressive attribute.
For a Kings backcourt in desperate need of shot creation and playmaking, Acuff provides both, taking over games with his dual-threat abilities.
With the Razorbacks, Acuff led the SEC in both points (23.5) and assists (6.4) per game, while helping Arkansas to the program's first conference title in 26 seasons.
This type of high-octane offense from the backcourt has lacked since the De'Aaron Fox trade, and Acuff projects as the franchise's lead guard of the foreseeable future.
Simmons, on the other hand, spent last season away from the NBA as he regained his mental and got healthy from lingering back injuries.
Upon his return, the Kings were named as one team interested in the former NBA Rookie of the Year, with Simmons agreeing to a one-year deal with the franchise relatively quickly.
For Christie, it reportedly took around five minutes for him to sign off on Simmons, with Senior NBA Writer Marc. J Spears recanting what Christie saw at the workout in early-September.
"Within minutes, Doug Christie was like, 'I'm good. Let's get him.' He looked great... He's really, really happy, and proud, and excited to be a Sacramento King," Spears said on SacTown Sports 1140.
While offensively, there are certainly some question marks regarding Simmons' lack of outside shooting and where he will fit in, the Kings' defense will receive a big boost.
Simmons is a two-time All-Defensive First Team member, dating back to his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Across his career, Simmons has averaged 1.5 steals per game, while displaying versatility on that end of the floor.
Christie talked about the defensive ability he has seen from his newest signee, saying that Simmons can "guard anybody."
With his size and agility, Simmons can hold his own against bigger players, while also switching onto and keeping up with smaller guards.
Having a player like Simmons, who can play multiple different positions and roles, gives Christie versatility with his lineup construction as key pieces are added and have returned from injury.
