With the 7th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Darius Acuff Jr., PG from Arkansas.
The Kings have been widely connected to Acuff throughout the draft process, but it wasn’t clear if he would last to them all the way at 7 with both the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets also showing interest but the Clippers went with Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Brooklyn went with Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.
Acuff Jr. joins the Kings after a very successful season at Arkansas where he average 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and shot 44% from three. He led the SEC in both scoring and assists and finished as a 1st Team All-American and was the SEC Player of the Year. Acuff joins a Kings team badly in need of a star and will likely be given the keys to franchise almost immediately. Acuff is widely considered one of the best offensive prospects in the draft, but also has serious question marks regarding his defense.
The Kings still have a lot of issues, but their biggest need was a true star, and Acuff Jr. in my mind was one of the best bets for the Kings to get that type of player and it’s a miracle that there was a player of his caliber available all the way at 7. For once, luck might have gone the Kings way. Of course, there’s no guarantees this pans out but for at least tonight and the near future, I have some hope for this team again.
Welcome to Sacramento, Darius Acuff Jr.! Barring a trade, the Kings are done for today but we’ll be sure to provide updates in case anything happens. They also have the #34 and #45 picks in tomorrow’s second round draft.
Welcome to Sacramento, the next HIM!
let’s f’n go!
welcome to Sac!
Move 2 of Monk, Domas and Lavine (assuming Deebo is cut) and this could be a successful off-season. Also assuming they don’t have to pay to move those guys.
Welcome to basketball Hell, youngling.
Now move off of LaVine because Kings now the the potential to be the worst defensive backcourt in the league next year.
Just like last year!
Welcome son, hopefully you can get out as quickly as possible.
Welcome to Sac Darius! Fix us please!
Hope it works out. Now get back into the 1st round!
I hate how they drag me back in! But man I’m excited about this pick. I honestly think even if we had been at number 5 or possibly even number four that this is the guy I would have wanted them to pick.
I thought there were reports in April/May saying the Kings would take him when everyone was thinking the Kings would have the 5th pick at worst.
Was the coverage and interview of Acuff insanely short compared to the other dudes, or is it just me?
It was relative to his height ????
An actual draft celebration thread?
I actually preferred Flemings. The vast array of experts over the last few weeks who said they would jump at a chance to get Acuff despite his known defensive limitations swayed my opinion.
You just got here, but the Kings are the Boston Celtics of the Summer League, so no pressure to deliver right away Acuff. Actually if he is good as they say he is, he should probably only be a part time Summer league participant at best.
Flemings next at 8
Morez Johnson, Jr to Mavd and Dusty May at 9
Am I crazy for thinking his game might be too similar to DDRs except a smaller person? I’m struggling to believe his game contributes to winning. I know super hot take but the defensive/size side of things feels like he could just be another empty stats guy on a team full of them.
I know there’s a lot of talk of getting rid of Domas, but him working with Acuff should be gorgeous basketball. Acuff has never had screens this big, and he’ll have one of the best rebounding bigs in the league which means he can shoot to his heart’s content. I don’t know why, but the dude just seems primed to become a star.
Now if we could get another defender like Keegan, holy hell. This could actually be something.
I was so negative on the guys last season because it was so annoying seeing this team finally taste success only to lose any kind of momentum. I’m actually back to giving a shit this year. Acuff, Welcome to Sac Buddy.
Badge Legend