Darius Acuff Jr. finished preseason tied for 13th overall in the NBA with Damian Lillard and Paolo Banchero in points per game with 17.3. The next rookie on the list was Caleb Wilson who averaged 15.8 points per game (good for 33rd overall).
Acuff closed out the preseason with stat line averages of 17.3 points, 42% from the field. 42% from three, 84% from the free throw line, 3.8 assists, 1.8 rebounds, .8 steals, .8 blocks, 24 minutes per game, 4 games played.
Caveat to this: Acuff also took the most shots of the rookies. In fact, his 14.8 attempts per game was second only to Jayson Tatum in the entire league. Wilson was 5th with 13.6 attempts per game. Darryn Peterson attempted 11.3 shots per game and averaged 13.3 points.
So, the volume was definitely there, which gives him a slight advantage in terms of scoring opportunities compared to the other rookies, but the fact that he averaged 42% from the field and from three on those shots is a good sign, not to mention 84% from the free throw line. For a comparison on that, Wilson shot 55% from the line and Yaxel Lendeborg, who averaged 15.6 points per game, shot 65% from the line.
Acuff proved he belongs on the floor in preseason and proved he can score at a high clip at this level. His defense will have to continue to improve. And he will have to overcome the current state of the Kings.
The showing against the San Antonio Spurs in the final preseason game Friday was pretty atrocious for the team as a whole. Most interesting, Acuff seemed to take a backseat for primary ball handling duties to Ben Simmons. Simmons finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in 26 minutes. Acuff finished with 13 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound in 19 minutes. It could have just been a preseason test to see what Simmons can do; it could have been a glimpse of how what Doug Christie might try to do with playing Acuff off the ball; it could have been nothing, who knows.
It is anyone’s guess as to what Kangz might do. We all get to find out next week. The point is, the Kings look like they drafted an NBA player who can get buckets. What happens next is the scary part.
Kings waive players
Sacramento waived three players Saturday: Elfrid Payton, Viktor Lakhin and Tristen Newton.
He led them in losses as well….I kid, I kid….sorta
The truth is Acuff is going to get the ROY race treatment from this franchise out of the gate. He will get all the shots he wants, regardless of his proper development.
25 FGA attempts per game? Sure, why not. 5 TOs a night…whatever, how’s the rookie ladder looking!
I predict that after last season of nothing but Russ and DDR stat chasing, we are gonna hear a ton about Acuff in the ROY race.
I feel a Tyreke 1-4 flat year of stat padding all over again.
We had a flat Tyre(ke).
DareROYUs!
Acuff looks good! Simmons looks good! The team looked bad in preseason, but hasn’t had enough time to gel. Hopefully we can stay out of the bottom three and develop young players. I see a lot of pessimism around this season on this site which is understandable. I’m choosing to enjoy unbridled optimism until we are at least 7 games under 500 and in the bottom 3. Off and early season optimism is all I tend to get as a Kings fan, so I’m going to enjoy it while I can.
This will be the hard part, for him and everyone else.
Current state seems to suggest as if it is a dynamic state, and may have a reasonable chance to improve.
In terms of Acuff playing off-ball at times, I only see it as a good thing for his future. It also alleviates a bit of pressure of being the only creator on the court.
Just put him on the ball. You’ve got nothing to lose. A 6’2″ scoring guard who can’t play defense doesn’t have any value in today’s NBA.
Unless he’s an elite all-NBA scorer like Lillard, Curry, or Brunson, it’s an easy slip to the tier of Colin Sexton, Quickly, or Coby White.
There really is no middle ground except for maybe a guy like Fox.
A lot of pressure on the young man to be the franchise savior.
I can’t recall these kinds of expectations for any player on any team drafted at #7.
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!
https://bsky.app/profile/jameshamnba.bsky.social/post/3my6o7bgfjn2k
Jesus Christ you have to be kidding me.
Terrible news for Ben.
Horrible news being reported by Shams. Ben Simmons tore his Achilles in practice today.
I feel for the kid. Just can’t catch a break.
Yeah, I feel far far far worse for him than the Kings. it would have been such a great story for him to comeback and be competitive again.
Cursed franchise until Vivek is gone.
https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2111949144210464799?s=46&t=I1eyixo45RHZ8REEnFjSJw
This news would have hit me like a jackhammer to the balls, but, now, its like “did i feel a breeze?” It is the Kangz after all.
But as a person, and not a Kangz player, i wish Ben Simmons a speedy and uneventful recovery.
Badge Legend