On the morning of Sept. 4, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Kings agreed to sign former three-time All-Star Ben Simmons to a veteran minimum deal. The Kings announced the signing on the morning of Sept. 8.
Reception to the Kings Signing Simmons
This sounds like great news if you knew nothing about basketball, right? But Ben Simmons’ career has been a… bumpy ride, to say the least. Many Kings fans are making sure people remember that.
Many fans argue that signing an injury-prone 30-year-old isn’t the right move for a rebuilding Kings team. Others argue this is a low-risk, high-reward move. They preach that Simmons could have a career resurgence into the player everyone thought he could be, or at the very least, can become an asset for this team.
Other Options for Sacramento
Recent reports about the Kings suggest they were looking for a veteran guard. A mentor for Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. was a prime target in this year’s free agency.
According to a variety of sources, it was down to a couple of players, including Cam Payne, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, and, obviously, Ben Simmons.
When you think about it, it is clear who the pick should be. Kings GM Scott Perry nailed it. When you look at some of these other players’ recent stats, they pale in comparison.
Take Victor Oladipo, for example: his numbers with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League last year aren’t ideal. He averaged 13.5 points per game, yet only shot 38.9 percent from the field and .329 percent from three, in about 30 minutes per game in each of the 15 games he played. That makes it clear he is not in as good a position, basketball-wise, as Simmons. Simmons, who still averaged above 5 in each of the three major categories in his most recent season, remains a valuable asset for teams when he plays efficiently.
A Clear, Honest Perspective
However, in an article by Jason Jones of The Athletic, Simmons should not be expected to mentor any of the “young” Kings. This suggests Simmons was signed to be more than just a veteran mentor.
Remembering that Simmons can be more than a point guard for Sacramento is key to the signing. Even considering all the gripes one can have about him, he is arguably the most versatile player in the entire NBA.
A wings-room of Keegan Murray, Deandre Hunter, and Ben Simmons doesn’t look so bad on paper. This is also a low-stakes situation for Simmons in Sacramento. In a place like New York, though, the pressure would be immense. With this being a minimal-pressure situation for Ben, it could secretly be what unlocks him.
If it all works out in Sacramento, Marc J. Spears has reported that Simmons is interested in staying long-term.
What Simmons Means to Sacramento Right Now
In reality, Sacramento is signing a former Rookie of the Year and All-NBA player. He could easily be the best defender and passer on the team when he walks through those doors. It is a no-lose transaction.
Should we take a flyer on a young guy or two? Maybe sign a more suitable veteran mentor for Darius Acuff? Yes, of course, these are things Scott Perry should look at. The good news is there is still more than a month of the offseason available to finalize this roster.
Simmons could be the veteran player who’s perfect for the Kings, and Sacramento might be the perfect place for Ben.
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