dpFans will be eager to see rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and three-time All-Star Ben Simmons when the Sacramento Kings play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in their preseason opener Monday at Golden 1 Center.
Acuff is already being touted as the face of the franchise after being selected out of Arkansas with the No. 7 pick in June’s NBA draft. Simmons is trying to resurrect his career after sitting out last season to heal a debilitating back injury.
The Kings will play a total of five preseason games. They will face the Lakers again on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. They will visit the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, play host to the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 13 and conclude the preseason on the road against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 16.
Kings coach Doug Christie has not revealed his plans for the starting lineup, but Acuff, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis have been widely projected as the starters. LaVine, Murray and Sabonis missed much of the 2025-26 season due to injuries as the Kings went 22-60 to finish with one of the worst records in the NBA.
LaVine should be highly motivated as he enters the final year of a five-year, $215.2 million contract. The same is true for Sabonis, who continues to be the subject of trade rumors.
The Kings have more size, length and depth than they did last season. There could be intense competition for backup minutes with logjams at multiple positions.
Simmons, Malik Monk, Nique Clifford, Daeqwon Plowden, Emmanuel Sharp and Elfrid Payton will be vying for time at the guard spots. Maxime Raynaud, an All-Rookie selection last season, and Dylan Cardwell will be trying to earn minutes behind Sabonis at the center position.
Raynaud started 56 games with Sabonis sidelined due to injuries last season. Cardwell was elevated from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal after establishing a strong defensive presence with Christie frequently saying he “impacts winning.”
Simmons will likely serve as the primary ballhandler when Acuff is off the floor. Utilizing him as a point forward might allow Christie to find time for Clifford and Sharp, a promising rookie with 3-and-D capabilities.
Jason Anderson
The Sacramento Bee
Jason Anderson has been the Sacramento Kings beat writer for The Sacramento Bee since 2018. He is a Sacramento native who is proud to provide coverage that is as passionate and dedicated as the loyal Kings fan base.
