The Sacramento Kings are envisioning a bench lineup led by Ben Simmons at the point guard position. If he can return to his effectiveness as a playmaker and defender, Simmons will provide much-needed facets of the game to the roster.
The Sacramento Kings have taken significant swings over the past few offseasons to try and position the team for a quicker rebuilding period going forward.
While the Kings didn't make many moves on the trade block or within free agency this year, the team's acquisitions through the draft should help to supplement the roster.
Darius Acuff Jr., who Sacramento took No. 7 overall in this past year's draft, is set to take the reigns of the Kings' offensive operations, but his backup remains a question mark.
On Monday, Senior NBA Writer Marc J. Spears identified the newly-signed Ben Simmons as the player most likely to earn the job.
"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.
Upon his return to the NBA, Simmons had interest from multiple teams, but landed in Sacramento on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
Despite the deal being for just one year, reports have already surfaced about Simmons' potential long-term interest in being with the franchise.
Spears said that Simmons appreciates the Kings taking a chance on him, and feels like he can fit the mold for what the team is trying to accomplish.
17-year veteran Richard Jefferson had high praise for the deal, saying that Simmons could get back to All-Star level production if used the correct way.
"Ben has the talent to be an All-Star this year," Jefferson said on ESPN Australia. "If Ben goes and has the best season, he's healthy, his back is right, he has the talent to be an all-defensive player, to be a defensive player of the year level talent because he can guard one through five positions."
His abilities on the defensive end of the floor are very intriguing for the Kings, who have formed a heavily offensive-focused roster.
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.
If he is indeed slotted in as a backup point guard, opposing teams will have to prepare for their ball handlers to be guarded by Simmons, who has great size and length for the position.
Offensively, sources close to Simmons have said that he is working on his jump shot, which has been a big criticism of his game in the past.
But, his real value will come as a playmaker, as the 6-foot-10 point forward has averaged 7.2 assists per game over his career.
With talented scorers like Malik Monk and Nique Clifford on the bench unit, Simmons' playmaking ability will be a big boost and allow them to get open shots on the perimeter.
