Doug Christie: Nothing I read about Ben Simmons was true

Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie has liked what he’s seen from Ben Simmons through the first three days of training camp, and, more importantly, he believes the veteran guard is bringing leadership to a team with plenty of young talent.

Simmons signed with the Kings this offseason on a one-year deal after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. His last NBA action came during the 2024-25 season, when he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

Now, after a year away from the NBA, Simmons is working his way back into the mix in Sacramento.

Christie believes the 30-year-old is embracing the opportunity.

“I mean, there’s leadership in what Ben is bringing,” Christie said. “Talk about being courageous, you know, injury and coming back, and all those things. Like everything I see about him speaks to a guy that’s in a really good place, loves basketball, loves his teammates.”

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)

More on Kings G/F Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons has dealt with significant injuries throughout the past several seasons, limiting him to 42 games in 2022-23, 15 games in 2023-24 and 51 games in 2024-25.

His last season included 33 games with Brooklyn before he was traded to the Clippers, where he appeared in 18 regular-season games.

Christie isn’t just focused on what Simmons can provide on the court, though. The Kings coach believes Simmons is already embracing the competitive environment Sacramento is trying to establish.

“Being a leader is calling out your teammates and then going at your teammate,” Christie said. “If you really want to demonstrate to your teammate that you love them, you don’t play buddy ball with them. You go at them, and iron sharpens iron.”

That mentality appears to fit with the identity Christie is trying to establish in his second season as Sacramento’s head coach. Christie repeatedly emphasized physicality, defensive communication, and accountability following Day 3 of camp.

And when asked what he has learned about Simmons since the Kings began working with him, Christie offered perhaps his strongest endorsement yet.

“The nothing I read was true,” Christie said. “I really enjoy being around the kid. He speaks. He enjoys basketball. He loves coaching, and he’s special.”

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 31: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during Game Four of the Eastern Conference first round series at Capital One Arena on May 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Simmons enters the season with a resume that includes three All-Star selections, an All-NBA selection and two All-Defensive team honors. His career averages remain 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game across 383 regular-season appearances.

For the Kings, the hope is that Simmons stays healthy and rediscovers some of the playmaking and defensive versatility that made him one of the league’s most intriguing players earlier in his career–all while mentoring rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr.

Simmons, along with Keegan Murray and De’Andre Hunter, will give this roster the defensive versatility it has longed for over the years. Time will tell if that translates to wins, but Christie has options at forward, options who can make things happen on both sides of the ball.

After three days of camp, Christie is already seeing signs that Simmons can impact the game well beyond the box score for a Sacramento team that hopes to climb out of the Western Conference cellar.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• 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
• Ben Simmons has ‘no limitations’ entering Kings Training Camp

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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