Ben Simmons sits as Garland steps up and Warriors reshape offense

The Sacramento Kings opened their preseason schedule against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday without Ben Simmons, who was inactive even as 13 teammates saw the floor. Although Simmons is healthy and has impressed in camp, the organization is opting for a cautious ramp-up after he sat out the entire previous season.

Reporting from Andscape, Marc J. Spears indicates the current plan is for Simmons to make his first preseason appearance later this week, either in the Kings’ rematch with the Lakers or in Saturday’s contest against the Golden State Warriors. Sacramento is clearly prioritizing a gradual build-up in game action for a player who has not played an NBA game in over a year.

Garland embraces Clippers spotlight after Leonard trade

Across the corridor in Los Angeles, Darius Garland is openly embracing a larger role in the wake of Kawhi Leonard’s departure. Speaking with Spears in an ESPN interview, the Clippers point guard said being the face of the franchise is “definitely something that I want,” adding that his experience to this point has prepared him for that responsibility.

Garland was limited to 45 games last season due to a toe issue, but he now says the injury is fully behind him. That clears the way for him to shoulder more offensive and leadership duties for a retooled Clippers group that will be looking for a new identity without Leonard at the top of the pecking order.

Warriors tweak roles as they bridge eras

In the Bay Area, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr outlined how the franchise is trying to balance the present with the future. Speaking to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Kerr said he wasn’t surprised Stephen Curry signed an extension below his maximum, then pointed to Yaxel Lendeborg’s projected role and the job general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has done reshaping the roster.

Kerr noted that Golden State has a promising young core, all of its future draft picks and the potential for significant cap space next summer, underscoring an organizational plan to transition from the original championship core to a new era without a full reset.

On the court, that shift is already affecting Draymond Green. After the Warriors’ preseason opener on Sunday, the veteran forward told NBC Sports Bay Area that his offensive responsibilities are a “big adjustment,” though he expressed confidence he will figure things out. In Kerr’s new five-out system, Green is expected to spend less time initiating sets from the top of the floor, redistributing playmaking duties and subtly changing how Golden State’s offense flows around Curry and the rest of the rotation.