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Ben Simmons Is Better For Kings Anyways

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There are a number of problems with the Sacramento Kings endeavor to sign Russell Westbrook this offseason. None of them are that he’s proven difficult to attain, as the basketball gods seem to be looking out for them.

Ben Simmons Is Better For Kings Than Russell Westbrook

The primary issue with the Kings efforts to onboard Westbrook is that he has exited his prime. This goes past the surface. As he’s no longer counted upon as a top-three scoring option, his weaknesses are more pronounced.

With that in mind, from 2010-11 to 2019-20, which bracketed Westbrook’s nine All-Star seasons, he averaged 25.0 points per game. With that type of production, the fact that he was shooting 30.9 percent from 3 wasn’t a deal-breaker. However, he’s averaged 16.1 points since then, a byproduct of his diminishing explosiveness and being demoted in the pecking order. In this stretch, he’s made just 30.7 percent of his 3s.

Unable to escape Father Time, the 2017 NBA MVP is no longer a V12 engine. He’s more along the lines of an old school hot rod; a V8. In the right situation, that can be overlooked. This ain’t that, as they say.

No Man’s Land

Westbrook’s still quick enough to do damage with the right spacing. Keep in mind that the Kings have multiple stretch-centers, including dribble-handoff master Domantas Sabonis and rookie Maxime Raynaud. Both can help cancel out Westbrook’s weakness while underscoring his strengths because they can draw out big men out of the paint.

Upon closer inspection though, inserting Westbrook in a starting lineup with Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan isn’t practical because they’ll be stacking four below-average perimeter defenders together. A toddler might be able to penetrate the lane with them standing sentinel.

Mar 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) talks with guard Zach LaVine (8) during a timeout against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

In the second unit, he’s likely to be the first player off the bench behind Dennis Schroder and would often be paired with Malik Monk. That’s a point of concern for the backcourt defense, especially now that they’ve decided to keep the scintillating sixth man. Additionally, due to Raynaud’s inexperience and relative lack of lateral agility, their pick-and-roll defense may not be up to scratch.

Of course, Sacramento could opt to use Westbrook as a roamer, a role that he’s performed well in. Still, their lack of the top-end point-of-attack defenders to put around him dampens the impact he could make. That being said, the Kings only have two rotation players proven to be above-average defenders: Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis.

So where exactly does the UCLA fit?

Wasted Resources

Another problem with inserting Westbrook in the rotation is that it will all but ensure Devin Carter and Nique Clifford will be out of it.

That isn’t to say that either Carter or Clifford are flat-out better than Westbrook, even in the twilight of his career. However, it would be a waste of resources, as Carter and Clifford were both first-round picks. In fact, Carter was a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Clifford is considered to be a player who can help elevate the Kings in a tangible way as a rookie.

If Sacramento doesn’t sign another point guard, one or both of Carter and Clifford could be in the rotation. With either player, this would enhance their perimeter defense. Notably, Clifford has the size to play 1-3 at 6-foot-5, which increases their lineup versatility. He’s also a connective piece that can be a shot-creator, playmaker or play-finisher, making him a great fit for the Kings as currently constructed.

The Last Word On Signing Ben Simmons

Analyzing Westbrook’s fit with Sacramento makes it apparent that they should look elsewhere in free agency. In fact,  former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons a better option than Westbrook. His decline has been even more dramatic thanks to back injuries and mental barriers. Yet, he has more of Westbrook’s strengths than weaknesses in his career.

To get the elephant out of the room, Simmons still doesn’t shoot 3s. He did show off a couple of nifty post moves last season, primarily fadeaways and hook shots. He’s still a 6-foot-10 ball-handler who moves around the court fluidly. Nonetheless, Westbrook’s a more proficient and pronounced scorer.

What Westbrook isn’t is better at is defense, in no small part because Simmons is still elite in that area. In fact, he can guard 1-5 at a high level. The 29-year-old even has the basketball IQ and instincts to not just be a weapon but an anchor that directs his teammates to the right spots. Given how many porous defenders that the Kings have, that could be more of a necessity than a luxury.

Last but not least, Simmons can slot in as Murray’s primary backup because of his positional versatility. This allows him to play a point-forward role, addressing Sacramento’s need for a facilitator and better depth at the four-spot. Joining Simmons in the second unit should be the complementary quartet of Monk, Ellis, Raynaud and either Carter or Clifford.

In the end, Simmons is an imperfect player and pick-up. Even so, he’d be better for the Kings than Westbrook.

© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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