The Sacramento Kings will likely secure a high lottery pick this summer after an injury-ravaged season placed them among the NBA’s worst teams. While it is unclear whom they plan to select, as long as they land relatively high in the lottery, it appears they already have a preferred target: Darius Acuff Jr.
How Highly do the Kings Value Prospect Darius Acuff Jr.?
Sactown Sports 1140’s Matt George reported that the Kings are keeping a close eye on Acuff.
“I did some digging, asked some questions, and got a pretty definitive response that the Sacramento Kings are really big fans of Darius Acuff,” George said.
“If they were to fall to that five, six, seven range, I’m told they are very, very keen on the idea of Darius Acuff here in Sacramento. He’s got a lot of supporters within the Kings’ front office, or at least a lot of interest.”
George also noted that while it is not necessarily clear the Kings would take Acuff over other prospects expected to be in the 2026 NBA Draft class, Sacramento views him very highly.
“I can tell you what I’ve been told, and that’s that Darius Acuff has some fans in the Kings organization and, from what I understand, is pretty darn high on their draft board.”
“I can tell you what I’ve been told, and that’s that Darius Acuff has some fans in the Kings organization and, from what I understand, is pretty darn high on their draft board.”@MattGeorgeSAC says he is hearing that the Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. has been catching the eye… pic.twitter.com/f12ayQy4oO
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) March 23, 2026
This type of intel is suggestive, but the only way to know for certain what the Kings will do depends on the lottery results. The regular season is not yet over, and as it stands, Sacramento has the NBA’s fourth-worst record at 19-53. However, they are not far behind Brooklyn, Washington, and Indiana.
Even if they lose all their remaining games, it does not guarantee the, the No. 1 pick. They could still land Acuff, which makes sense because, despite the number of point guards on the roster, the Kings need a true leader following the De’Aaron Fox trade.
On the season, Acuff is averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 44.6% from 3-point range. There is a strong argument that not only would he be the exact player Sacramento is seeking, but that his game would translate well to the NBA.
The Kings did not enter the season intending to tank. It remains somewhat unclear what their precise objectives were this year, but they are in this position largely because of injuries.
Next season, this team, which has competed for the playoffs since 2022, will add a high draft pick to its roster, potentially altering its long-term trajectory depending on whom it selects.
