The Ben Simmons comeback talk is getting way ahead of the actual comeback.
That’s the tension hanging over the Sacramento Kings’ offseason move to sign him. It’s a gamble, no question, because of his injury history and the other baggage that comes with his career. But while the Kings are taking a measured path with him, parts of NBA media are already talking like the payoff is guaranteed - and that kind of buildup only raises the stakes around a player who has already dealt with plenty.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting Simmons to succeed. The hope is simple: get back to the league, stay healthy, and put together a productive run.
If that ends up being with the Kings for a long time, even better. The point isn’t to root against him.
It’s to avoid pretending he’s already something he hasn’t yet shown.
That’s where the commentary starts to feel excessive. Richard Jefferson was already floating All-Star talk before Simmons was even back on a roster, and Brian Windhorst has been saying Simmons can defend anybody, Wemby included. Those kinds of takes sound bold, but they also pile a ton of pressure onto a return that hasn’t happened yet.
And that’s the part that feels out of whack. Some of the conversation is talking as if Simmons is about to rewind the clock by 10 years. That’s a big ask for any player, and especially for one who has spent so much of his recent career fighting through the mental side of the game.
The Kings, at least, seem to understand the value of easing him in. He’s going to need to knock off the rust, and they don’t want to load him up too quickly. That approach should help him physically and mentally.
Support him, sure. Root for the return.
But the hype machine doesn’t need to run ahead of the proof. Stop telling us how great he’s playing and show us.
In Other News...
Kings Fans Have Heard This Story Before And Its Concerning Again
The Kings are back in familiar territory this fall, with another round of questions about the mood inside the building before the games even start counting. At a preseason dinner, owner Vivek Ranadive addressed the team, and the message quickly became a point of debate after NBA insider Zach Lowe described it as a roast that took aim at players and staff. For a franchise that has spent plenty of time trying to project stability, even the conversation around a dinner speech can feel larger than it should.
Scott Perry pushed back on that framing, saying the speech was meant to motivate and inspire the group rather than tear it down. Still, the public disagreement has only added to the sense that not everything is perfectly settled behind the scenes, especially with Kings insider James Ham pointing to ongoing internal issues connected to why some players have missed preseason action. The details there remain unconfirmed, but it is another reminder that Sacramento is once again trying to keep the focus on basketball while the off-court noise lingers in the background. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Head To Golden State With Two Big Roles Suddenly In Focus
Sacramentos preseason has opened with back-to-back losses to the Lakers, and the quick turnaround to Golden State offers the Kings a chance to see where some of their new pieces fit before the games start counting. The early focus has been less about the final scores and more about the roster mix, with rookie Emanuel Sharp also expected to get a look as Sacramento tries to sharpen its three-point shooting.
The bigger spotlight is on the frontcourt rotation and the questions it raises for the starting group. DeAndre Hunter is being pushed by Precious Achiuwa, while Ben Simmons is part of the same conversation as the Kings sort through a competition that could shape how they open the regular season. Sacramento still has plenty to learn in preseason, but this trip to Golden State should offer a better sense of which combinations the staff trusts most. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Preseason Woes Just Sparked An Early Starting Lineup Debate
Sacramentos first two preseason games against the Lakers did not offer much early reassurance, especially on the defensive end and from the perimeter. Preseason results rarely tell the whole story, but the Kings have already given their coaching staff enough to chew on as they sort through how this roster is going to fit together once the games count.
De'Andre Hunters recent stretch has only added to the uncertainty, and the discussion around the first unit is starting to widen beyond just the usual tuning-up process. Precious Achiuwa, coming off a strong first season in Sacramento, is at least part of that conversation now, and the way the Kings align those front-end pieces could become one of the more interesting decisions of camp. [Read more 🡒]