NBA Notes: Kings, Ben Simmons, Lakers, Ziaire Williams, Mavericks

Kings

Could Ben Simmons wind up in Sacramento?

Logan Struck of Kings On SI suggests the Kings as a possible landing spot for Simmons, who is attempting an NBA comeback after sitting out last season to get healthy.

There has been no report directly linking Simmons to Sacramento. But Marc J. Spears of Andscape reported that Simmons has received a non-guaranteed training camp offer from an unidentified Western Conference team, with multiple clubs showing interest.

Simmons is participating in a player-led Australian national team minicamp and hopes a strong showing will create additional opportunities.

Struck believes Sacramento makes some sense.

The Kings could use another ballhandler behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., and Simmons would provide size, playmaking and defensive versatility if he’s anywhere close to healthy.

Sacramento also has room on the roster and has shown a willingness in recent years to take chances on veteran guards looking for another opportunity.

Simmons, 30, is reportedly willing to play on a veteran-minimum contract.

Again, there’s no indication that Sacramento is the mystery Western Conference team. But given the Kings’ roster situation, it’s at least a fit worth considering.

Lakers

Ziaire Williams already knows what the Lakers want from him. 

Yep, you guessed it — defense.

Williams, who joined Los Angeles on a veteran-minimum contract, said on the team’s YouTube channel that he’s prepared to take on difficult perimeter assignments.

“Starting off on the defensive end, guarding the best player, providing the energy, making winning plays,” Williams said. “Doing all the little things it takes to win.”

That’s basically the job description. The Lakers made perimeter defense a priority this summer, adding Williams along with Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes and Walker Kessler.

Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI writes that Williams could help replace some of what Los Angeles lost when Marcus Smart departed for Houston.

Williams, 24, averaged career highs of 10.2 points and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. He’ll also reunite with former Sierra Canyon teammate Bronny James.

“It’s going to be fun playing with Bronny again,” Williams said. “We grew a lot together at Sierra Canyon and we’ve been friends ever since.”

Mavericks

Marcus Sasser could be one of the more interesting players to watch in Dallas.

At least that’s the case being made by Austin Veazey of Mavericks On SI, who identified Sasser as a potential surprise among the Mavericks’ many offseason additions.

And there is a basketball argument behind it.

Dallas badly needs outside shooting after finishing among the NBA’s worst three-point teams last season. Sasser has connected on 38.6 percent of his threes through three NBA seasons and has improved his percentage each year.

Opportunity could be there, too. Kyrie Irving is 34 and returning from an ACL injury, while rookie Sergio De Larrea remains an unknown at the NBA level.

Sasser wouldn’t necessarily need to run the offense, either, particularly when sharing the floor with players such as Cooper Flagg or Naji Marshall.

The Mavericks acquired Sasser as part of a busy offseason that also brought Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic and Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas.

Sasser appeared in only 38 games last season and averaged 12 minutes, so we’re hardly talking about an established rotation player.

But he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. If Dallas needs shooting and Sasser needs an opportunity, there could be a match.