Kings drop another vs. Blazers, Simmons tracking to start — Pacific Division roundup

Kings still searching for first win

It was another rough outing for the Sacramento Kings, who fell 110-98 to the Portland Trail Blazers. The loss drops Sacramento to 0-4 in the Pacific Division, a difficult start in one of the league’s toughest neighborhoods.

Beyond the score, frontcourt depth has taken a hit. Beat writer Jason Anderson, via Hoops Rumors, reports that center Dylan Cardwell has been diagnosed with a left calf strain. The team announced he’ll be sidelined for at least two weeks, which means he’ll miss at least the start of the regular season.

To bolster their wing depth, the Kings have brought in two more camp bodies. According to Hoops Rumors, free agent wings Aaron Nkrumah and Damari Monsanto have signed Exhibit 10 contracts with Sacramento, giving the team added flexibility to round out its camp roster and potentially feed its G League affiliate.

Simmons projected to start on opening night

The bright spot in Sacramento centers on Ben Simmons. According to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, as relayed by Hoops Rumors, Simmons is expected to be in the Kings’ starting lineup when they open the season on October 21, despite a lengthy layoff from NBA action. He didn’t sign with the team until September 7 but appears to have done enough in a short window to earn a major role.

Hoops Rumors notes that this marks a significant turn for the versatile forward-guard, who hadn’t played for roughly a year and a half. For a Kings team still trying to find its footing, the hope will be that his defense and playmaking can steady a group that’s yet to taste victory.

Clippers tweak camp depth, Lakers connection

Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hoops Rumors reports that the LA Clippers have made a string of minor camp moves, shuffling players in and out of the back end of their preseason roster on short-term deals.

In a separate set of minor moves highlighted by Hoops Rumors, guard RJ Davis — who previously held an Exhibit 10 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in July — has been waived by the San Antonio Spurs. It’s another reminder of how volatile camp life can be for players on the fringe of NBA rotations.