Ben Simmons’ bid to return to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings was derailed three days before opening night. The three-time All-Star tore his right Achilles tendon in practice Sunday, the team announced, and the injury is expected to end his season.

Now NBA insider and journalist Marc Spears has weighed in on how Sacramento’s head coach viewed Simmons before the injury, drawing criticism from some NBA fans on social media.

Fans Take Aim at Doug Christie After Marc Spears’ Remark on Ben Simmons’ Captaincy Role

Revealing how Simmons’ possible role for Sacramento in his comeback season, Spears said, “He was playing so well, maybe the best of any player on the Kings. I think Doug Christie was about to make him a captain.”

In the Kings’ preseason finale at the San Antonio Spurs on October 16, Simmons lined up alongside Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and Darius Acuff Jr., and was widely touted to start on opening night as well.

Reacting to Spears’ latest report, one fan was blunt in their take: “That would’ve been a truly awful idea.”

Another fan turned on Christie himself: “Fire Doug (Christie).”

One more hoops fan kept the focus on the Kings coach, posting, “Such a Doug Christie thing to do.”

Another NBA observer looked past Christie and remarked, “I feel bad he got hurt but man the fact he looked like their best player in camp says a lot about their org lol.”

Another fan did not mince words in their assessment. “That team is in the gutter,” the fan wrote.

The 2016 No. 1 overall pick, Simmons, began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, and one playoff decision in June 2021 drew heavy criticism.

It came in Game 7 of the 76ers’ series against the Atlanta Hawks. With the Sixers trailing 88-86 and three and a half minutes left, Simmons backed down Danilo Gallinari and spun around him, leaving only Trae Young between him and the rim.

Instead of going for a drive to the basket, Simmons passed to Matisse Thybulle, who made one of two free throws. Philadelphia went on to lose, resulting in scrutiny directed at the three-time All-Star, including harsh remarks from Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid.

A holdout during the 2021-22 season led to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets, where back injuries and surgery for a herniated disc kept Simmons off the floor for long stretches.

Brooklyn waived him partway through the 2024-25 season, and he finished it with the Los Angeles Clippers. Simmons averaged 5.0 ppg, 5.6 apg, and 4.7 rpg in 51 games between the two teams.

Simmons sat out the 2025-26 season while rehabbing lingering back and leg injuries, then signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento last month. The contract was reportedly non-guaranteed, with $1 million tied to making the opening-night roster.

Simmons, who will have surgery, addressed the injury in an Instagram story: “This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story. It’s never easy being away from the game I love, especially after everything it took to get back here.”

While the injury puts a heartbreaking dent in Simmons’ comeback ambitions, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the guard will receive his full salary. Meanwhile, the Kings will open the regular season without him Wednesday against the Clippers at Intuit Dome.