The Sacramento Kings are bringing Ben Simmons back to the NBA with a defined job: backing up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract after missing the entire 2025-26 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears reported September 4, citing his agents. NBC Sports Bay Area
Sacramento finished 22-60 and selected Acuff seventh overall out of Arkansas. According to The Associated Press, the Kings envision Simmons as both Acuff’s backup and a defender capable of taking assignments across positions. On a rebuilding team giving its rookie point guard a central role, that could mean help organizing possessions and handling difficult matchups. Associated Press
Simmons’ most recent season suggests modest expectations. In 2024-25, he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds across 51 games. Passing and possession management are more plausible sources of value than scoring. Sacramento should be looking for someone who gets teammates into their actions, advances the ball after rebounds and helps the offense survive the minutes between Acuff’s shifts. NBA player statistics
Separating much of their playing time would be the most straightforward approach. Acuff could run the starting offense, with Simmons supplying a different style of creation when the rookie rests. That would also let the Kings evaluate Acuff through sustained responsibility, allowing him to work through difficult possessions without a veteran taking over.
Shared minutes require more care. If Simmons brings the ball up and initiates every action, Acuff loses opportunities to practice the reads Sacramento needs him to learn. If Acuff handles it while Simmons waits outside the play, Simmons’ limited shooting threat gives another defender room to help toward the ball.
Using Simmons as an active screener could give both players a useful role in the same possession. With Acuff handling above the three-point line, Simmons could screen, move toward the foul line and offer a passing target if two defenders follow the rookie. From there, he could find a cutter or move the ball to an open shooter. This is a possible use of the pairing, not an announced Kings scheme, and it depends on how the defense responds.
An opponent that stays back may never give Simmons that opening. He would then need to screen effectively, cut into available space or finish when a lane appears. His passing becomes less valuable when the defense has no reason to leave its assignments.
At the other end, Simmons could ease Acuff’s workload if he can take a demanding perimeter matchup. The Kings will first have to establish which assignments he can handle after a year away. His earlier reputation cannot determine those choices.
The preseason rotation should begin to show how Sacramento intends to use him. Running possessions while Acuff rests would fit the reported backup role. In shared minutes, the encouraging sign would be Simmons consistently screening and moving while Acuff keeps making decisions; long stretches spent standing away from the action would expose the cost of playing them together.
Dependable reserve minutes and useful support for Acuff’s development would make this a productive season for Simmons. Sacramento needs that help to preserve the space and responsibility its rookie needs to grow.