Hoop DossierBen Simmons
Sacramento Kings · Guard · age 30 · 6′10″ · LSU
Availability
His team isn't in the games shown here yet; his current status appears once it is.
This season
No data collected yet this season. His averages, lines history and splits fill in after his first regular-season game. Why?
What's being said
40 items this seasonThe latest on @lockedonkings.bsky.social -- 🏀 STARTERS REVEALED? Kings fall to 0-5 for the preseason, but did we finally see the starting lineup? 🏀 Ben Simmons was the center of the universe 🏀 Six Quick Thoughts youtu.be/D3q3rRabr10?...
The latest on @lockedonkings -- 🏀 STARTERS REVEALED? Kings fall to 0-5 for the preseason, but did we finally see the starting lineup? 🏀 Ben Simmons was the center of the universe 🏀 Six Quick Thoughts https://t.co/7bg7FAemZi https://t.co/HgIl3r1ZJg
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Relayed report ·
News at 3:40 said Ben Simmons, Domantas Sabonis (heard as "DeMontis Sabonis"), Darius Acuff Jr., Precious Achiuwa (heard as "Precious Chua"), De'Andre Hunter (heard as "DeAndre Hunter") and Zach LaVine (heard as "Zach Levine") would all play against the Spurs.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
The listed starters against the Spurs were Acuff, LaVine (heard as "Levine"), Keegan Murray, Ben Simmons and Sabonis (heard as "DeMontis Sabonis").
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
Preseason appearances: Sabonis (heard as "demonis sabonis") has played only two games, Ben Simmons two, and Keegan Murray three.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Analysis ·
The host saw poor defensive rotations and no coordinated help and recovery. When Simmons ran out to a shooter, no one shifted to cover his man.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
Second-half opening group: Simmons at point guard with Emanuel Sharp (heard as "Emmanuel Sharp"), LaVine (heard as "Levine"), Hunter and Sabonis. The host says it looked a little better, with similar results.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
Acuff opened at point guard in name only. Simmons had the ball constantly even with Acuff on the floor, and even more once Acuff sat.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
In an earlier preseason game Simmons played only about eight minutes; in this game he played close to 30 minutes and ran everything.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
Simmons was a training camp invite with a million-dollar guarantee if he made the team.
- Podcast Kings players (reported), via Locked On Kings · Relayed report ·
The host relays that Simmons has reportedly looked really good in camp, and that players have described him in a certain way.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Report ·
Simmons line: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists in close to 30 minutes. The host says he did not turn the ball over much.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Analysis ·
The host thinks Simmons is ready to compete for starting minutes when the season begins.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Analysis ·
The Simmons-to-Sabonis connection looked strong. Simmons fed Sabonis in the post from the top of the key, which reminded the host of Rick Adelman's double high post. It didn't produce much because Sabonis struggled to score against Wembanyama.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Analysis ·
The host did not see the major spacing problem he expected from playing Sabonis and Simmons, two non-shooters, together. Simmons found open shooters in the corners and pushed the pace with outlet passes.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Opinion ·
The host does not think Simmons has been very good defensively; he calls him okay, not a stopper. He says Simmons looked healthy and active.
1. Starters? The anticipation was real. When the Kings announced their starting five at 4:30PM PST, it may have answered a huge question. Is this the opening night starting group and has Ben Simmons really pulled off the first step of his unlikely comeback? This group was out of
Ben Simmons getting a look with Acuff Jr., LaVine, Murray and Sabonis. Do we have the opening night starting lineup?
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Prediction ·
Host says there is a good chance LaVine (heard as "Levine"; likely Zach LaVine), Hunter, Acuff (heard as "A-cuff") and Ben Simmons play against the Spurs.
- Podcast unnamed source (reported), via Locked On Kings · Relayed report ·
Ben Simmons hasn't played in a year and a half and has played one preseason game, although he had hoped to play more. According to a source, he had general neck and hip soreness Tuesday morning that is nothing to be concerned about.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Relayed report ·
From what the host has heard, Simmons's goal is to play all 82 games this season. The hope is that he is ready for game one.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Opinion ·
The host wants to see Simmons alongside Darius Acuff, Keegan Murray and Sabonis (likely Domantas Sabonis), rather than with depth players.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Open question ·
The host asks whether Simmons's development and Sharp's play (heard as "Emmanuel Sharp"; likely Emanuel Sharp; described as a 'defensive crazy person') have opened a door for Monk to fall out of the rotation, or into the doghouse. He says he doesn't think there has been any incident.
- Podcast Locked On Kings host · Open question ·
The host says nobody knows yet whether Simmons and Sabonis (likely Domantas Sabonis) can play together, or whether Keegan Murray and Simmons will work as a pairing, which he says could in theory be perfect.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Report ·
Eight Kings sat out the Tuesday preseason game against Portland: Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine (heard as "Zach Levine"), De'Andre Hunter (heard as "DeAndre Hunter"), Ben Simmons, Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis (heard as "Damanis Sabonis"), Maxime Raynaud (heard as "Maxine Raynaud") and Dylan Cardwell.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Analysis ·
The host says that for the other players who sat out, some of it is ramping up and some is the Kings being precautionary. He gives Simmons and Sabonis (heard as "Damanis Sabonis") as examples, and says Sabonis had knee surgery whose recovery lasted until mid-July.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Report ·
Keegan Murray and Sabonis (heard as "Damanis Sabonis") have not played a single minute together this preseason; the host says they also never did last season. Sabonis and Ben Simmons have not played together either.
- Podcast A reporter (reported; name unclear in the audio), via Locked On Kings · Relayed report ·
Marc Spears (heard as "Mark Spears") of Andscape (heard as "Anscape")/ESPN reported that Ben Simmons is expected to stay in the starting lineup alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. for the October 21 season opener against the Clippers.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Opinion ·
The host doesn't think Simmons will start in the backcourt with Zach LaVine (heard as "Zach Levine") going to the bench. He thinks LaVine will start.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Opinion ·
The host thinks that if Simmons starts, he will probably start in the frontcourt with Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis (heard as "Amonis Sabonis").
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Report ·
Simmons signed a non-guaranteed league-minimum contract with the Kings this offseason. He came in as a camp invite, with about a million dollars on offer if he made the team.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Analysis ·
The host pointed out that Spears is part of the upcoming ESPN/Andscape E60 documentary on Simmons, titled "Being Ben." The host thinks that connection explains why Spears keeps getting Simmons information.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Analysis ·
The host says Simmons is 100 percent healthy and in incredible shape after nearly 18 months away from the league.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Report ·
In Saturday's preseason game at Chase Center, Simmons played only nine minutes. The host said he did not struggle and looked like his former All-Star self, powerful and aggressive.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Open question ·
The host isn't sure Simmons can hit threes, or how he will look next to Sabonis. He asks how to manage two non-shooters and three ball-dominant, high-usage players.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Opinion ·
The host isn't sure Simmons can stay healthy, noting that health has been a problem throughout his career.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Prediction ·
The host says it looks increasingly likely that Simmons will be more than a rotation player: someone coach Doug Christie relies on heavily.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Prediction ·
The host predicts Simmons will take roughly six or seven fewer shots per game than DeRozan did, if Simmons plays healthy minutes.
- Podcast James Ham, Locked On Kings · Analysis ·
The host argues Simmons can share the rebounding work and the top defensive assignments that Murray has carried, which could keep Murray fresher for three-point shooting.
Spears: Ben Simmons expected to be in Kings starting lineup to begin the regular season.
Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.
Background
ESPN player profile and our roster recordsSituational splits is a beta tool, still a work in progress. Turn on Beta tools to try it. What are beta tools?