Jerry Reynolds: Why the Sacramento Kings could outperform low win projections

The opening days of NBA training camp can create plenty of excitement, but Sacramento Kings legend Jerry Reynolds believes fans should be careful not to read too much into what happens before the preseason begins.

Reynolds joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys to explain what coaches are actually looking for during the early stages of camp and why the storylines coming out of practices should be viewed with some caution.

“The first days you just want to kind of hope that all your guys you’re looking forward to watching work out are healthy,” Reynolds said. “You’d like everybody kind of like ready to go to work and positive about the coming season.”

While early practices can offer insight into a team’s chemistry and energy, Reynolds doesn’t believe they tell the whole story.

He pointed to last year’s Kings as an example of why fans should avoid making sweeping conclusions based on training camp performances.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Ben Simmons #25 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“Usually not much because every team does the same thing,” Reynolds said. “You really would almost have to get into preseason, and probably near the end of preseason to start getting some accurate thoughts.”

Reynolds believes preseason games provide a much better indication of which players will earn significant roles because they force players to compete against opponents rather than their own teammates.

That applies to several Sacramento Kings players, including Ben Simmons. While expectations surrounding the former No. 1 overall pick have grown quickly, Reynolds acknowledged that some of the optimism may already be getting excessive.

Still, Reynolds believes Simmons could have a significant impact if he can rediscover some of the form that made him one of the NBA’s most influential players earlier in his career.

“For this team to really make much of a stride, I think Ben Simmons is probably the outlier,” Reynolds said. “If he could be Ben Simmons of five years ago, he can make his team a lot better.”

Reynolds also discussed Nique Clifford, emphasizing that the second-year forward needs to establish a defining strength. Clifford’s versatility is valuable, but Reynolds believes he needs something that separates him from other players competing for minutes.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Nique Clifford #10 of the Sacramento Kings poses for a picture during the Kings Media Day at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“His strength is he’s highly skilled in about every phase, but he’s not super skilled in anything,” Reynolds said.

For Maxime Raynaud, Reynolds sees an important season ahead. He believes the Kings need to determine exactly where Raynaud fits and whether he can eventually play both power forward and center.

“If he could, that would really give Coach Christie and the team a little bit of a leg up on where people thought they’d be,” Reynolds said.

And despite the low win projections surrounding Sacramento (many project them to finish last in the Western Conference), Reynolds remains optimistic.

“I just think with a healthy Keegan and De’Andre Hunter and Domas and Monk, I just think this team is better than that,” Reynolds said.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Doug Christie: Nothing I read about Ben Simmons was true
• Zach LaVine says he has ‘a lot left in the tank’ ahead of 13th season
• Ben Simmons is ready for a fresh start in Sacramento
• Doug Christie: Kings have ‘every opportunity’ to build a new identity
• Domantas Sabonis has his eyes on a bounce-back season

Sacramento Kings Schedule: 2026-27 Preseason

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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