Kings Not Counting on Him as a Mentor? Simmons Must First Break a Stereotype After Returning

The Kings' role for new addition Ben Simmons may be different from what the outside world expects. According to The Athletic, the team is not counting on the forward to mentor this year's No. 7 pick Acuff or other young players.

The report stated that if the expectation is for Simmons to serve as a mentor for younger players, it would be better to remain cautious. Teams often do look for veterans who can guide young players' development, and the idea itself is positive, especially when a veteran is in a good mental state and willing to embrace that role. The article also gave a comparison: if the Kings had kept Westbrook, he would have been an ideal mentor candidate.

Simmons' situation is different. He not only missed an entire season, but his professional approach has also been a topic of discussion for years. The report believes that a mentor role does not fit his current positioning, and he does not need to take on that type of leadership responsibility.

For Simmons, after a season away from competition, he not only needs to regain his playing form but also change the outside perception that he lacks passion for basketball. The Kings' approach to using him appears focused on allowing him to concentrate on his own recovery rather than taking on additional locker room responsibilities.