Is there any chance that dynamic scoring guard Darius Acuff, from Arkansas, is still available for the Sacramento Kings seventh overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft?
NBA Draft Expert for No Ceilings, Stephen Gillaspie, explained to The Drive Guys why he believes one team in particular will be the difference if he makes it to that point.
In his freshman season with the Razorbacks, Acuff averaged an impressive 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from the field.
ADVERTISEMENT
Add in 44 percent from beyond the perimeter on 5.8 attempts, impressive handle, and touch around the basket, and it’s easy to see why his offensive profile projects him as a potential star offensive hub at the next level.
Gillaspie said he’s especially high on Acuff as a prospect. “He’s got the all NBA level handle,” he said. “Led the SEC, a very tough conference, in points and scoring.”
Defense is his most commonly highlighted flaw, with questionable effort, but there’s a reason that could be excused and a change in the NBA.
“I know a lot has been made for the defense,” Gillaspie continued. “I don’t think it’s anywhere as bad as what it’s being kind of put out to be like. Certainly, the film does show lapses, but he was the sun and the moon for that Razorback team, and we all know how that goes. You know, the higher usage you are, the more breaks you get on the defensive end.”
When it comes to where he’ll go in the draft, most people believe the top four will consist of AJ Dybansta, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson — although there could always be surprises.
The Los Angeles Clippers own the fifth pick, and Acuff could be repetitive with their Darius Acuff, whom they acquired at last season’s trade deadline.
That’s where the Nets come in at sixth, not having a true franchise point guard on their roster.
“Whatever they do is really, I think, going to impact the availability of Acuff,” Gillaspie said.
He acknowledged that teams could, of course, prefer other options like Kingston Flemings or Mikel Brown Jr. over Acuff, but he doesn’t fall under that umbrella.
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
ADVERTISEMENT
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule
Thursday, June 4th– NBA Finals begin
Thursday, June 25th – NBA Draft (Round 1)
Friday, June 26th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.
ADVERTISEMENT