With question marks surrounding the backup point guard position, the Sacramento Kings have added two ball handlers to the roster. With a plethora of options who can handle the ball and initiate offense, the roster has become more versatile.
Just weeks ago, the Sacramento Kings were facing a potential dilemma with the backup point guard position.
No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff Jr. was the only true point guard on the roster, with Malik Monk and Nique Clifford serving as potential unorthodox options to run the offense off the bench.
But, the Kings' most-recent signings have provided head coach Doug Christie with options heading into this season.
Both Ben Simmons and Elfrid Payton can handle the ball and initiate offense, while bringing veteran experience to the roster.
Sacramento worked out Payton in late-August, as the team was seeking a tenured NBA point guard.
Payton, a former lottery pick, has averaged nearly six assists per game over his lengthy NBA career.
He did not play in the NBA last season, but has shown the ability to be effective when he has gotten opportunities.
In the 2024-2025 season, Payton was acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans towards the end of the year, where he recorded 10 or more assists in seven of his 11 appearances with the team.
Since entering the league, Payton's playmaking prowess was never a question, as he excels in setting up his teammates and taking care of the ball.
But, his 3-point shooting and scoring as a whole withheld him from reaching his full potential as a player.
On the Kings, he will not be expected to carry a scoring load, allowing him to play in his comfortable role as a table setter.
Simmons is in a similar boat, but provides the Kings with much more versatility thanks to his size.
Like Payton, the Kings were impressed by Simmons' workout, with head coach Doug Christie reportedly being ready to sign the former Rookie of the Year within minutes of seeing him play.
Simmons took last year off, as he recovered from multiple injuries and drama bits that plagued the bright start to his career.
But, multiple former NBA players have praised the signing for Sacramento, with 2016 NBA Champion Richard Jefferson saying that Simmons could be an All-Star level player this season.
Simmons brings a much-needed focus on defense to an otherwise offense-first bench unit.
On Monday, Senior NBA Writer Marc J. Spears identified the newly-signed Ben Simmons as the player most likely to earn the backup PG role.
"An excited Ben...he's healthy. He took a year off to get healthy, and they list him at guard. They want him to back up Darius Acuff and he's already in Sacramento getting ready for next season," Spears said on NBA Today.
However, with the recent signing of Payton, Simmons could be used in the frontcourt as well.
With the official 15-man roster filled, the Kings' depth has improved this offseason, while veteran presences have been brought in behind Acuff.
