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Sacramento Kings
Aug 22, 2025 5:11 PM EDT
After missing the playoffs last season after being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament, many around the NBA expected the Sacramento Kings to begin a rebuild this offseason.
Of course, this came after Sacramento traded their star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs last season but instead of starting a rebuild, they have elected to chase a playoff spot next season.
Zach LaVine
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) and forward DeMar DeRozan (10) and forward Keegan Murray (13) — Source: © Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
The Kings have kept their core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine together despite multiple trade rumors and they also made some notable additions to their roster.
In the 2025 draft, the Kings selected Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud and they also landed Dennis Schroder in free agency via a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons.
While the addition of Schroder fills their void at the starting point guard position, the Kings still lack depth behind him which has caused them to be linked to multiple free agent guards.
Kings linked to Ben Simmons in free agency
One player the Kings have continued to be linked to is former first overall pick Ben Simmons and a recent report has them as one of his main suitors.
LA Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) — Source: © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Kings are known suitors for Simmons in free agency along with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
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With Siegel’s report, it appears as though Simmons has just three teams to choose from this summer in free agency, though he did mention more teams could eventually show interest in the former Rookie of the Year winner.
For Simmons, he is no longer the All-Star caliber player that he once was but he proved last season after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers that he could still be a key role player off the bench for a contending team.
Last season, the 29-year-old averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from the field over 18 games in Los Angeles.
Former Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25).
Former Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25). — Source: Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Simmons is a great defender and playmaker that the Kings could desperately use off the bench and he is also a solid inside scorer.
Despite this, the Kings have also been linked to Russell Westbrook, who they are reportedly trying hard to sign this summer, meaning that they may be out of the race for Simmons.
About the Author
Nathaniel Holloway