Steph Curry and Steve Kerr
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Steph Curry and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors have won four NBA titles together.
The Golden State Warriors know they need another guard who can create something out of nothing. Every night reflects that reality. Stephen Curry drives the offense, Jimmy Butler manages the second unit, and the team still searches for a young, dynamic ball-handler who can eventually grow into a larger role.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman believes that player could be Darius Acuff Jr. His latest 2026 mock draft slots the Arkansas freshman to the Warriors, and the numbers back it up. Acuff is averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.5 threes while playing with a confidence that jumps off the screen.
Why the Warriors might see long-term gold in Acuff
Golden State’s biggest offensive gap has been consistent second-unit creation. With Butler running much of the backup offense, the load can get heavy when Curry sits. Butler can handle it, but the team is short on guards who pressure the rim, collapse defenses and score in bunches, something they haven’t truly had since trading away Jordan Poole.
Acuff fits that mold. Wasserman highlights his “shiftiness off the dribble, shotmaking and vision in ball-screen situations.” He has looked physical finishing at the rim, comfortable changing speeds and confident stepping into jumpers.
It’s hard not to see the resemblance to Poole’s early Warriors seasons. The blend of handle, burst and instant-offense scoring is familiar, and Golden State once thrived with that kind of microwave threat.
If drafted, Acuff would likely open his career as a backup point guard, but his upside stretches far beyond that. The Warriors haven’t had a young guard with this kind of on-ball dynamism in years.
Warriors could still explore size or wing depth
The Warriors should not force positional need if Acuff is clearly the best talent available. But if they see similar grades across the board, positional value could come into play.
A size boost would help immediately. Golden State ranks near the bottom of the league in rebound rate and still lacks a true long-term paint presence behind their current rotation. That is where a player like Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 Michigan center projected in the same draft range, becomes intriguing. He is averaging 3.0 blocks per game and nearly 10 rebounds, while also showing passing flashes.
A bigger wing is another option. Duke’s Dame Sarr is drawing early praise for spot-up shooting, transition finishing and point-of-attack defense. His offensive polish still needs work, but his physical tools and motor stand out.
Golden State should think beyond next season
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford are all over 35 years old, and trying to compete in a Western Conference with young players yet to hit the prime of their careers is a difficult task.
GettyJimmy Butler III #10, Draymond Green #23 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors.
Given where the Warriors are, immediate impact from a 2026 rookie is unlikely. Any draftee is more about the next era, not next season. That’s why Acuff’s offensive ceiling is worth monitoring.
If he matures into a full-time lead guard, he could eventually become a successor to Curry or at least develop into a long-term rotation piece.
Golden State needs athleticism, creativity and long-term stability at guard. Acuff brings all three, and he may be one of the few prospects in this class who checks those boxes at a young age.
Whether it’s Acuff, a towering rim protector or a versatile wing, the Warriors will have options. But if Wasserman’s projection comes true, Golden State might be landing a guard built for their next chapter.