Could Ben Simmons play his way into a starting spot?

Ben Simmons’ Sacramento Kings debut lasted just nine minutes, but Matt George came away thinking the forward could play his way into the starting lineup.

Simmons made his preseason debut Saturday against the Golden State Warriors after sitting out Sacramento’s first two games. He started at power forward alongside Keegan Murray, who made his own preseason debut at small forward.

The former top-overall pick scored seven points on 2-of-4 shooting, went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line, and recorded one assist with two turnovers in nine minutes of action.

For George, the most encouraging part was how comfortable Simmons looked after missing an entire season and dealing with back issues.

(The Matt George Podcast is brought to you by IBEW Local 340 & Power Business Technology)

“To go out there at 30 years old, after having not played in an NBA game for a while, and to look that comfortable, I thought was really, really good for Ben,” George said on Sactown Sports’ The Matt George Podcast.

He also described Simmons’ game as “smooth,” noting that the forward played with confidence despite the long layoff.

George saw Simmons’ presence helping the Kings in two roles. Simmons ran the point for the second unit, giving Sacramento a comfortable ball-handler to organize the offense.

He also played alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr., giving the Kings a chance to use Acuff more off the ball and take some of the creation burden off the rookie.

George had wondered whether Simmons’ limited shooting range might clog the floor. In his first live viewing, though, he said spacing did not seem to be a noticeable problem.

“If spacing is not that bad, it’s very, very feasible that Ben Simmons could play his way into the starting lineup in that four spot,” George said, with Murray at the three.

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)

That possibility could put De’Andre Hunter’s starting role in question. Hunter has struggled to find his rhythm during the preseason, and George said he sees the forward’s clearest offensive value as a catch-and-shoot threat.

He credited Hunter’s defense against Golden State, but said Simmons could offer a compelling alternative if the Kings can keep the floor spaced.

Simmons’ first outing was far too brief to settle the lineup debate. He didn’t record a rebound, and two turnovers were on his line. George also noted that Sacramento was easing Simmons back in after his year away from the game.

How Simmons handles longer stretches—and whether the spacing holds up—will matter more than one short preseason appearance.

Still, Ben Simmons gave the Kings a glimpse of a steadier second-unit organizer and a potential fit beside Acuff and Murray. If he stays healthy and continues to look comfortable, George believes the Kings may have a real decision to make at power forward.

Watch the full podcast in the video player at the top of the page or on the Sactown Sports YouTube page.

Listen to all episodes of The Matt George Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and watch each episode on SactownSports.com, the Sactown Sports app, or the Sactown Sports YouTube page.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Jerry Reynolds: Darius Acuff should be a big part of the offense, not all of it
• Kyle Draper: Sacramento faces familiar challenges entering new season
• Raynaud avoids serious injury, will be re-evaluated in two weeks
• Has Sacramento Kings GM Scott Perry’s next free agent target been revealed?
• Doug Christie: Nothing I read about Ben Simmons was true

Sacramento Kings Schedule: 2026-27 Preseason

• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PT)

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Wednesday, October 21st @ Los Angeles Clippers (7:30 P.M. PT)
• Friday, October 23rd vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Sunday, October 25th vs. Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 P.M. PT)
• Tuesday, October 27th @ San Antonio Spurs (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Thursday, October 29th @ New Orleans Pelicans (5:00 P.M. PT)

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on X/Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Jerry Reynolds: Darius Acuff should be a big part of the offense, not all of itKyle Draper: Sacramento faces familiar challenges entering new seasonRaynaud avoids serious injury, will be re-evaluated in two weeksNo. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza ‘did a good job’ in debut49ers survive wild finish in Seattle, improve to 5-0Raynaud exits early in Kings preseason loss to Warriors