NBA media day put two of the Sacramento Kings’ newest faces in the spotlight Monday, and Ben Simmons didn’t waste time making his message to rookie Darius Acuff Jr. clear.
The former No. 1 overall pick said the biggest thing for the 19-year-old guard is to keep his footing as the year unfolds.
“There’s gonna be a lot of advice I give him throughout the year… I think just stay even, don’t let the highs get too high, the lows get too low,” Simmons told the Kings media on Monday.
That kind of advice lands with some weight coming from Simmons, who was the same age as Acuff Jr. when he entered the league. The Kings used the seventh pick after sliding down in the lottery, and they clearly see Acuff Jr. as a major part of what comes next. With that comes pressure, even if the rookie’s first season won’t mirror Simmons’ own early years in the league.
“You’re so young and so fresh it’s all new, I think everything for him is just about learning and getting the details of the game down,” he said.
Acuff Jr. won’t have Joel Embiid beside him, and he won’t be walking into the kind of playoff expectations Simmons faced in his first season. But the burden of trying to help lift Sacramento out of mediocrity will be there all year, and Simmons’ point was simple: the details matter.
That’s especially true on defense, where Acuff Jr. is going to need time. At Arkansas, John Calipari made it clear he didn’t expect much from his star guard on that end, and now the rookie has to adjust to carrying a heavy offensive load while staying engaged defensively. Simmons, who has lived as a primary playmaker and top defender, knows how demanding that balancing act can be.
“He’s got a great work ethic, I’m excited to see him grow and be a leader… so he’s getting there so I’m impressed,” Simmons said about his new teammate.
The fit in Sacramento goes beyond mentorship. Simmons gives the Kings something practical on the floor: a 6-foot-10 ball-handler who isn’t a shooter, but can still help organize the offense and take pressure off Acuff Jr.
One option is letting Acuff Jr. work off the ball while Simmons handles point guard duties, freeing the rookie to come off handoffs, pin-downs, and other actions instead of having to create everything from the top of the key. Domantas Sabonis can provide some of that, too, but Simmons adds another plus defender into the mix.
That matters because the Kings will need help insulating Acuff Jr. while he adjusts to the speed of the league. Simmons isn’t expected to be a scorer, and he likely never will be, but a healthy version of him should still give Sacramento a switchable defensive presence. He can also help cover for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and others by taking on tougher assignments.
Simmons may need some rust off when the preseason starts, but the role is obvious enough. He can steady the backcourt, defend multiple spots, and give Acuff Jr. a little room to breathe as he learns the league.
For a rookie with real expectations on him, that kind of support can matter. And for Sacramento, Simmons’ understanding of both his own role and Acuff Jr.’s growth was a strong sign on a day built around first impressions.
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