What positions will Ben Simmons play for the Kings?

Ben Simmons is already handling the ball, defending bigger players and giving Sacramento new options on both ends early in Kings training camp.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 30, 2026, 3:24 PM Updated: 3:28 pm

Follow on Google News

Watch: Kings HC Doug Christie discussed starting two-a-days, his early points of emphasis | 6 mins

One of the main highlights of the 2026-27 Sacramento Kings roster is improved length and versatility, and no one player better exemplifies that than Ben Simmons.

The former No. 1 overall pick spent last season away from the NBA rehabbing and recovering, and now says he’s back in ideal shape. His size at 6-foot-10 — both his height and strength — stands out when you’re around him in person, and he’s always provided a unique sense of positional versatility.

His 6’10 frame stands out — both in terms of height and strength — when you’re around him in person, but Simmons has always offered a unique combination of size and guard skills.

He can initiate offense with the ball, while his defensive versatility has earned him two All-Defensive First Team selections, and it sounds like Sacramento has already experimented with him in different roles on both ends through the opening days of training camp.

“He’s playing everything,” Malik Monk said of Simmons. He pointed out that Simmons has often initiated the offense, allowing Monk to function more as an off-ball play finisher.

“Playing off the ball now, I got a lot more open shots, a lot more space,” Monk continued. “He draws a lot of attention, so I’ve been liking playing with him.”

Simmons’ on-ball skills have never been a question, but his obvious lack of shooting, attempting just 36 threes in his 383 career games, makes for an interesting conversation about how he could function when others are the ones initiating.

Ben Simmons and Daeqwon Plowden getting shots up after practice. pic.twitter.com/Pb2aiWu0Ca

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) September 30, 2026

Head coach Doug Christie was asked if he imagines Simmons essentially working as a big man off-ball.

“When he catches the ball, he can do everything with the basketball,” Christie said. “And then, depending on the person that’s closing out to him, he gets to read that, and he does that at a really high level.”

The versatility is even more valuable on the other side of the ball. Christie was much more direct when asked what kind of positional flexibility and optionality Simmons provides defensively.

“He can guard everybody,” Christie said.

Monk provided an early example of how that has looked in practice, saying Simmons has often handled the ball offensively while defending power forwards on the other end.

Keegan Murray also pointed to Simmons’ potential to help Sacramento improve defensively after they ranked in the bottom three in defensive rating last season.

“It makes it different, especially because he’s physically gifted, athletic,” Murray said. “It’ll be cool to be able to try to build chemistry with him and things like that, and hopefully defensively we can be a lot better than previous years.”

While he has the skillset, Simmons may need time to work his way back to being an impactful defender at all five positions. When asked whether he could be thrown into that responsibility right away or would need to build toward it gradually, Christie chose to play his cards close to the vest.

“We’ll see,” Christie said.

Identifying roles and ways to maximize the roster’s talent is always a focal point of training camps, and LaVine said that’s been the case early for Sacramento.

“You have to use other people’s strengths and have people in the right role and play their role as the best they can,” LaVine said.

Simmons may be the clearest example given his obvious limitations as a shooter, but the various ways he can make a positive impact are apparent as well. Through the first few days of training camp, Sacramento appears willing to explore and appreciative of the added optionality headed into the year.