Las Vegas Summer League is officially in the books for the Sacramento Kings, meaning we will have to wait until the fall to see the Beam Team in action again.
While it was only five games–eight, if you include the California Classic–we learned a good amount about the Kings’ new rookies, and while Summer League results typically aren’t a sign of what’s to come for the duration of a player’s NBA career, it’s a starting point for themselves as they take the next step.
Sacramento’s win over Charlotte on Friday afternoon–a win that avenged last summer’s loss in the NBA Summer League Championship game– put a stamp on their summer showcase, and now we can dive into what we saw from some of the Kings’ potential rotation pieces.
Here are some takeaways from the Sacramento Kings’ Summer League action in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 09: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives against Sean Pedulla #00 of the LA Clippers in the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives against Sean Pedulla #00 of the LA Clippers in the first half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NBA Las Vegas Summer League: Kings takeaways
Darius Acuff Jr.
Expectations were high for Acuff, as was to be expected when a franchise in Sacramento’s place drafts a high-scoring guard who has earned some exciting NBA comparisons.
After showing flashes during two appearances at the California Classic, the seventh overall pick struggled to settle into his offense in Las Vegas.
Over three games, Acuff averaged 19.0 points, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 4.7 turnovers while shooting just 36 percent from the field and 26 percent from deep (6.3 attempts per contest).
Acuff was forcing it at times on the offensive end, both in shooting and passing, although his alarming 4.7 turnovers per game don’t tell the whole story of his game. Acuff had plenty of good looks that were mishandled by teammates or by guys failing to hit their spots in certain offensive sets.
My take–Acuff’s offense is going to be fine. His confidence is undeniable, and even through the struggles, he didn’t shy away from attacking the basket and being aggressive on that end of the floor.
Sac-Town’s rooks were cooking in Las Vegas today@Dariusacuff5: 26 PTS (16 in 3Q), 5 AST@emanuelsharp_: 23 PTS, 4 STL, 6 3PM pic.twitter.com/NbvcnQOUCJ
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2026
The defense was, as expected, not ideal. Guards will look to beat Acuff off the dribble and attack the basket, as was the case with Brooklyn Nets guard and sixth overall pick Mikel Brown Jr., who took Acuff to the basket on multiple possessions during their matchup earlier this week.
Important reminder: Summer League statistics are not a true indicator of who a player is or will become. Here are some star guards’ numbers from Las Vegas over the years:
Stephen Curry: 17.4 points | 4.6 rebounds | 4.2 assists | 3.6 turnovers | 32% FG | 34% 3PT
Jalen Brunson: 6.8 points | 2.8 rebounds | 4.4 assists | 3.0 turnovers | 22% FG | 30% 3PT
Chris Paul: 11.8 points | 5.2 rebounds | 5.5 assists | 2.2 turnovers | 37% FG | 33% 3PT
Trae Young: 17.0 points | 1.0 rebounds | 6.8 assists | 3.8 turnovers | 38% FG | 38% 3PT
Jamal Murray: 19.6 points | 5.0 rebounds | 2.4 assists | 2.8 turnovers | 42% FG | 27% 3PT
Derrick Rose: 9.5 points | 4.0 rebounds | 5.5 assists | 4.0 turnovers | 32% FG | 34% 3PT
Acuff is 19 years old. There is a long way to go before we learn what kind of player he’s going to be at the NBA level, and an inefficient Summer League showing isn’t a reason to sound the alarm.
Even amid struggles, Acuff averaged nearly 20 points per game and demanded constant attention from opposing defenses, often facing double teams and blitzes. As you can see above, this can happen with a ball-dominant guard who has a very high usage rate.
It’s early. Very, very early. Acuff can score; there is no questioning that. Efficiency, turnovers, and defense. Those are areas of improvement to watch, and I expect Acuff to look like the Sacramento Kings’ franchise guard sooner rather than later.
Maxime Raynaud
On the heels of an All-Rookie Second Team nod, Raynaud looked really strong in one of his Summer League showings–the other, not so much.
Raynaud, who missed the California Classic due to commitments with the French national men’s basketball team, had a sparkling Las Vegas debut on Sunday, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against the Washington Wizards.
The Sacramento Kings’ 42nd pick from last year’s draft was a presence in the paint while also knocking down two of his five attempts from three-point range, but that success didn’t translate to his next showing.
🇫🇷 MAXIME RAYNAUD !
20 POINTS
12 REBONDS
3 AST, 1 INT
7-15 FG⎜2-5 3PM pic.twitter.com/gviDUxCHOR
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) July 13, 2026
Raynaud scored just three points on one-of-three shooting and collected just four rebounds against Brooklyn on Tuesday, as the seven-footer struggled to combat a physical Nets frontline.
Seeing Raynaud play–and speak–with confidence, especially after a surprise rookie season that established him as a building block in Sacramento, was encouraging, and struggles are bound to happen, even for a 23-year-old second-year talent.
Spacing the floor would be a great way for Raynaud to find more minutes, potentially even alongside Domantas Sabonis, but the defensive contributions from the two could prove problematic during the regular season.
Raynaud has proven he has an offensive bag and can create in and around the paint. It was a brief Summer League showing, but the Kings have a strong option to back up Domantas Sabonis heading into the fall.
Nique Clifford
Clifford had somewhat of an up-and-down Summer League.
Over three games, the first-round pick from last summer averaged 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game on 41/30/83 shooting splits.
At times, Clifford actually brought the ball up and initiated the offense, something that he did last season when the Kings were shorthanded at the point guard spot, and something that general manager Scott Perry has said is a possibility for the second-year guard.
Clifford appeared passive at times rather than aggressive, but he’s the type of player who always tries to play within himself and avoid forcing plays. Still, he turned the ball over more than he should have and his shooting numbers–much like most of Sacramento’s roster–were lower than anticipated, especially for a second-year player.
Thankfully, Clifford at least delivered one of the Kings’ signature moments of the summer during the California Classic.
Nique Clifford FOR THE WIN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eqyuhqA0oY
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 4, 2026
Sacramento is going to need more from Clifford this season, especially on the defensive end.
With DeMar DeRozan out of the picture, the Kings have an open spot in the starting lineup alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. Clifford and De’Andre Hunter will be in the mix for that last spot–likely the starting small forward position.
Hunter appears to have a leg up as of now, but a big training camp and preseason could make things interesting. Even if he isn’t a starter, Clifford is the type of player this team
Dylan Cardwell
In Las Vegas, Cardwell did what he does best–protect the rim.
The undrafted big man turned fan favorite swatted 2.8 shots per game over his four appearances, and there’s little doubt that Cardwell is already one of Sacramento’s better rim protectors in recent memory.
Cardwell also hit the glass, pulling down 6.8 rebounds per contest, but his shooting numbers were also low (43% FG), which was likely a casualty of the center creating his own offense and taking set jump shots far more than he did during his rookie season.
If Cardwell can improve his offense, that would be a plus, but in my opinion, it isn’t really needed or as important in comparison to what he already brings to the table.
Whether it’s Sabonis or Raynaud, one of those two will likely assume most of the minutes at center, with Cardwell getting stretches here and there for defensive purposes. The Kings have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA over the years, and having Cardwell in the paint against certain matchups can start to change that narrative.
Emanuel Sharp, probably the biggest positive for the Kings today, somehow gets a steal while falling. pic.twitter.com/9m5HkBjvkI
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 14, 2026
Emanuel Sharp
Speaking of defense, Emanuel Sharp may already be Sacramento’s best on-ball defender.
The 45th pick in last month’s draft, Sharp was one of the Kings’ best stories from Summer League, and a player who can already be considered an option for head coach Doug Christie’s rotation.
Sharp’s motor really stood out in Las Vegas. He never takes a play off. He never looks disengaged. His on-ball pressure is electric to watch, akin to what we saw in recent Summer League showings from former Sacramento guard Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis. That’s what Sharp can bring to the table, and he’s also a solid three-point threat as well.
Entering play on Friday, Sharp was averaging 15.8 points and a whopping 2.8 steals per game (fifth among Summer League leaders) while shooting 36 percent from downtown (8.3 attempts per game).
The Houston product finished strong on Friday, scoring 16 points (four-of-nine from deep) and swiping three steals in a winning effort.
Three-and-D archetypes are incredibly valuable in the NBA, and it looks like Perry may have found another late-draft gem in Sharp.
Expect Sharp to battle for rotation minutes from the jump, with the offense-heavy Kings needing a boost on the defensive end. Sharp simply makes things happen on defense, and Christie will almost certainly reward those efforts if they translate at the next level.
Alex Karaban, the 29th overall pick, led the Kings in scoring tonight at @NBASummerLeague!
21 PTS (team-high)
8 REB
5 3PM (game-high) pic.twitter.com/sPLNUwxOlp
— NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2026
Alex Karaban
Sacramento was high on Karaban in the weeks leading up to last month’s NBA Draft, and Perry felt it was necessary to trade up from 34th to select the UConn product at 29th.
Karaban missed the entire California Classic due to an ankle injury, but returned to debut in Las Vegas.
The two-time NCAA champion struggled out of the gates, but put together an impressive performance during Wednesday’s game against Boston, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight boards while shooting five-of-seven from three-point land.
Two days later, Karaban scored 14 points on six-of-12 shooting from the field, raising his average to 8.4 points over his five games played.
Karaban finished his Summer League on a high note, and you can see why Perry likes the idea of having the 6’8 forward on the roster.
Defense, like many players on the Kings, will be an area to keep an eye on, but Karaban provides Sacramento with another floor-spacer, one who also possesses plenty of experience in winning environments–something that Perry appeared to prioritize by selecting three rookies that played under legendary coaches at winning programs.
Jonathan Mogbo
Mogbo is another player, like Sharp and Cardwell, who prioritizes defense when he’s on the floor.
“Defense has always been a major priority,” Mogbo said in an exclusive interview with Sactown Sports’ Jason Ross. “Offense came later throughout the years, but defense has always been a major priority.”
The former 31st overall draft pick inked a two-way contract with Sacramento this summer, and the 6’8 forward’s ability to defend multiple positions could come in handy as the season goes on.
Entering Friday, Mogbo was averaging 10.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 43 percent from the field.
Those averages were impressive, and his 14-point, eight-rebound, three-block effort in Friday’s finale cemented his impressive summer.
Mogbo to Sutton for the slam 💥 pic.twitter.com/gxmaHDOLAq
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 10, 2026
Mogbo, who has previous NBA experience with Toronto, has the makings of becoming the Kings’ next two-way success story.
Ellis went from undrafted to a two-way contract, to a standard deal, to a lucrative contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Cardwell followed a similar trajectory, being upgraded from a two-way to a standard contract last season.
The forward is big and athletic, and seemed able to do everything on the hardwood during Summer League. At a time when Sacramento is dealing with financial constraints, Mogbo could provide the Kings with solid depth on a two-way contract before a decision is made on upgrading his contract status (two-ways have a 50-game limit).
Now, Mogbo will enter the 2026-27 season looking to make an impact for a Sacramento roster that lacks defensive versatility at the forward spot behind Keegan Murray.
Notes
Marquel Sutton is a player to keep your eye on as the summer progresses. Could he be an option in Stockton? The LSU product’s defense and athleticism fit what Perry and his front office have been looking for, and he fits the Sharp-Mogbo blueprint.
Sutton finished strong on Friday, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds on six-of-13 shooting.
Two-way guard Adam Flagler played sparingly for most of Summer League, but he will be an option for Christie this season and a player who arrives in Sacramento after winning a championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025.
Flagler scored 11 points and swatted two shots during Friday’s win over 25 minutes.
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