NBA Notes: Kings, Ben Simmons, Cavs, Mario Hezonja, Knicks

Kings

If the Kings sign Ben Simmons, they presumably won’t be asking him to teach Darius Acuff Jr. how to shoot. Passing? That’s another matter.

Sacramento has been considering Simmons as it searches for a veteran guard who can help mentor Acuff, the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft.

Will Zimmerle of NBA on SI points to Simmons’ playmaking as one area where the former No. 1 overall pick could particularly benefit the rookie.

For all that’s gone wrong during Simmons’ career, passing was never the problem. He has averaged 7.2 assists over seven NBA seasons and at his best was among the league’s more creative playmakers, particularly in transition.

Acuff is known primarily for his scoring, but the Kings believe there’s considerably more to his game. He displayed some promising court vision during summer league and enters the season as Sacramento’s only traditional point guard.

Simmons didn’t play in the NBA last season and obviously comes with questions of his own. Sacramento has also been linked to several other veteran guards.

But if the Kings want somebody who can show Acuff a few things about finding teammates? Simmons can certainly do that.

Just maybe let somebody else handle the shooting lessons.

Cavaliers

Mario Hezonja keeps scoring for Croatia, and the more he does it, the more interesting his potential role with the Cavaliers becomes.

Zach Weiss of NBA on SI suggests Cleveland should resist turning Hezonja into somebody who merely stands in the corner and waits for James Harden or Donovan Mitchell to find him.

There’s something to that. Hezonja scored 65 points over two recent FIBA qualifying games, including 28 points and seven assists in Croatia’s win over Latvia. He’s returning to the NBA after six seasons overseas and has developed into a considerably more accomplished offensive player than the one who left.

That doesn’t mean Kenny Atkinson is handing him the keys.

Hezonja signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, and the Cavs have plenty of players ahead of him in the pecking order. But if he makes the team, finding 15 or so minutes for a 6-foot-8 forward who can create some offense with the second unit doesn’t sound unreasonable.

Especially when Mitchell or Harden is resting.

Bottom line? The Cavs don’t need Hezonja to be a star. If some of that European offense comes with him, though, they might have found themselves another useful bench piece.

Knicks

The Knicks wanted Yves Missi this summer. His latest performance probably didn’t make them want him any less.

Missi delivered 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier Thursday, another reminder of why New York reportedly tried multiple times to acquire the Pelicans center earlier this offseason.

Those attempts went nowhere. Now the Knicks are still looking for another center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond as opening night gets closer.

Isaiah De Los Santos of NBA on SI notes that New York has taken several swings at filling the spot. Along with Missi, the Knicks pursued Karlo Matković and made an offer to restricted free agent Moussa Cissé that was matched.

Meanwhile, several veteran alternatives have disappeared from the market.

Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo are among the remaining possibilities. Simmons has also been mentioned in connection with New York, though he obviously wouldn’t solve the need for a traditional center.

Missi would’ve done that while offering some long-term upside. Instead, New York gets to watch him put up 24 and nine for Cameroon.

Probably not the international basketball highlight Leon Rose was hoping to see.