The Sacramento Kings hit a brutal wall just days before opening the 2026-27 NBA season, as Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during Sunday's practice and is out for the season. The 30-year-old was totally expected to start next to rookie Darius Acuff Jr. , but his comeback's already over before the regular season even tipped off.
Simmons had actually been showing some great signs during preseason, dropping 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in two games while shooting 53.8% from the field. His absolute best performance was against the Spurs, when he went off for 14 points, eight boards, seven assists, and a steal in 26 minutes.
After missing the entire 2025-26 season, Simmons looked ready to roll again. His passing, rebounding, and defensive versatility could've made Acuff's transition way smoother, especially since the Kings are planning to give their No. 7 overall pick a massive role right out of the gate.
Acuff's already turning heads with 17.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in the preseason, splashing 42.1% from deep. The Kings are obviously locked in on developing the 19-year-old as their franchise point guard, but asking him to run the whole show without another experienced playmaker could get messy fast.
Sacramento wrapped up last year with a harsh 22-60 record, sitting 14th in the West, and their offense was ranked 26th in the league with 110.6 points a game. Losing Simmons strips away another guy who can actually organize possessions and mentor the younger guard into the league.
The Kings don't necessarily need to hunt for another permanent starter, though. They just need a vet who can handle the rock, chip in without demanding twenty shots a night, and help Acuff level up into a complete point guard. These three names make sense, even if one's way easier to acquire than the others.
Bruce Brown should totally be the Kings' #1 choice, especially after the Knicks just waived him last week while locking in their final roster. The 30-year-old hit the market after NY decided to keep James Wiseman instead , giving Sacramento a free shot to add an experienced two-way guard without giving up any assets.
Brown spent last season with the Nuggets, playing all 82 games and putting up 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.5% from the field and 38.5% from deep. His durability was massive, especially since the Kings were already taking a huge health gamble with Simmons.
His biggest flex is obviously his championship pedigree. Brown was a huge piece of Denver's 2023 title run, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 20 playoff games. He locked down multiple stars, ran secondary playmaking duties, and chipped in with some scoring.
That makes him a great fit as a running mate for Acuff. Brown doesn't need to dominate the rock and can take on the hardest defensive assignments while the rookie handles the offense. His cutting, attacking closeouts, and ball movement would give the Kings another safety valve when Acuff faces traps and heavy pressure.
Brown won't fully replace Simmons' size or passing chops, but he's a much more reliable shooter and fits any lineup. Having a guard who canned 38.5% of his triples last year keeps the floor spaced for Domantas Sabonis and the rest of the shooters, even if Brown isn't chucking 10 threes a game.
Plus, the experience factor is huge. Brown's played with certified superstars, knows how to play off ball-dominant guys, and can teach Acuff when to push the pace and when to chill.
The Kings could start Brown next to Acuff or let him run the second unit. Either way, he's probably the closest available clone to Simmons' defensive versatility and secondary playmaking. A minimum contract for a vet with his resume is an absolute steal.
The major red flag is health, obviously, but Seth Curry would bring a totally different vibe than Simmons, and his elite shooting and offensive IQ could make him an amazing mentor for Acuff.
Curry only played 10 games for the Warriors last year, averaging 7.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 13.3 minutes. He dealt with left sciatic nerve irritation, an adductor strain, and other injuries that kept him sidelined most of the season, but even with all those bumps, the 36-year-old was still automatic when he played, shooting 49.0% overall and 48.0% from downtown.
He's also rocking a career 43.3% three-point clip, making him one of the best shooters in NBA history. That's super interesting for Acuff, who balled out at Arkansas, averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 44.0% from deep.
Curry could teach the rook how to move off-ball, catch-and-shoot cleanly, and use screens to get open. Acuff's got superstar scoring upside, but learning how to get efficient buckets without holding the ball for 20 seconds every possession makes him unguardable.
Rotation-wise, Curry could slide in as a secondary handler in short bursts. He's more of a shooting guard than a floor general now, but his pick-and-roll IQ would still give the Kings another reliable decision-maker. Plus, his shooting gravity opens up the floor for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and De'Andre Hunter or Keegan Murray.
Still, Sacramento would have to take care of his minutes. Playing just 10 games last year makes him a massive health risk, and he's not locking anyone up on defense. Keeping him on a strict 10-to-15-minute diet could work if he's healthy. He's not a direct Simmons replacement, but his shooting knowledge could do wonders for Acuff's bag.
The 32-year-old Cameron Payne might actually be the most natural fit if the Kings want a traditional point guard to help Acuff steer the ship. He played 22 games for the 76ers last year, putting up 7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 17 minutes a night, shooting 37.6% overall and 33.0% from deep. His best trait? Taking care of the basketball.
Peep this stat: he dropped 58 assists to just 11 turnovers across those 22 games, proving he rarely goes out of his way. That kind of discipline would teach Acuff a ton. The rook turned it over 3.5 times a game in the preseason, which is normal for an aggressive 19-year-old shoved into a massive role.
Payne could show him how to manage the tempo, read coverages, and stop forcing tough passes when the primary read isn't there. Those little details are everything for a young guard running an NBA offense.
Payne also has deep playoff reps, going all the way to the 2021 Finals with the Suns. Back in 2021-22, he dropped 10.8 points and 4.9 assists over 58 games, showing he can shoulder a heavier load when needed.
Sacramento wouldn't need numbers like that right now. Having Payne give them 15-20 stable minutes off the bench to run the second unit (and occasionally share the floor with Acuff) fixes a major roster hole.
The big-time catch? Payne signed a deal with Turkish club Anadolu Efes through the end of the 2026-27 season back in October, so the Kings would have to execute his NBA buyout clause to bring him back home. Funny enough, Payne actually worked out for the Kings in August before jetting overseas, so the front office already knows what he's about.
If Sacramento can pull off his return, Payne gives them a true traditional backup point guard. His scoring won't break the game open, but having an experienced floor general keeps a 19-year-old starter from drowning in mistakes.
Filling in for Simmons isn't going to be easy since they were relying on him for defense and secondary playmaking next to Acuff. Still, they don't need a max-contract star to fix it. Brown is clearly the undisputed king of this list. He's sitting right there as a free agent, played all 82 games last year, has a ring, and guards multiple positions while making plays.
Curry brings elite shooting gravity and mentorship, but his body is a massive question mark. Payne gives you pure point guard stability, but his Turkish league contract makes him tough to pry away. For a franchise heavily investing in Acuff's development, bringing in an experienced guard is way better than burning the rook out on day one. Brown should be priority #1 before someone else snatches him up.
