Kings Turn to an Unexpected Name After Ben Simmons Injury

For most of the summer, Sacramento Kings fans weren’t sure what Ben Simmons had left.

By the end of the preseason, a lot of them had their answer. He looked like a real NBA player again.

Then came Sunday’s practice. One live drill, and the comeback was gone before opening night. Now, with the season days away, the Kings are already searching for help in the backcourt.

NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line first reported on X that Sacramento was looking at its options.

“The Kings are considering point guard reinforcements, sources say, after the sudden loss of Ben Simmons to a season-ending Achilles tear during practice on Sunday,” Fischer wrote.

Later, Fischer named a target on X.

“Another name I’ve heard the Kings have called about acquiring before today’s roster cut-down deadline: Milwaukee guard Kevin Porter Jr.,” Fischer posted.

Milwaukee was already shopping Porter, but no deal got done. The Bucks waived him on Monday instead to get down to the 15-man roster limit.

That might be the best news Kings fans get this week. If Porter clears waivers, Sacramento can sign him as a free agent without giving up a thing.

Porter put up real numbers last season. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 38 games, though a rough preseason didn’t help his case in Milwaukee.

And the Kings need someone like him. Simmons was expected to start next to rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and help him run the offense. Now that load falls mostly on a 19-year-old.

It’s a tough break for Simmons, who had done everything right this fall. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal in September and played his way into the starting lineup.

The Kings open Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Until then, every eye in Sacramento is on the waiver wire.