Darius Acuff Jr. has wasted no time becoming one of the loudest talking points in the NBA.
The 6-foot-1 guard went No. 7 overall to the Kings and has opened his career with numbers that jump off the page: more than 25 points per game, but on an inefficient 50% true shooting from the field. He has also piled up the most shot attempts in NBA history through the first three games of a player’s career with 74, and his average seconds per touch is higher than Jalen Brunson’s. At 19, he’s handling the ball more than just about anyone in the league.
That usage has already sparked plenty of backlash. Draymond Green confronted him at half court and questioned his shot selection and his reluctance to involve teammates, asking, “Who else touched the ball that possession?”
Jeff Teague followed with his own blunt take: “Have you ever seen a rookie do that? Five for 24 is insane.
You’re out of pocket, bro”.
The criticism has only grown as Sacramento has stumbled to a 0-6 start. Reports have also surfaced about Domantas Sabonis wanting out of Sacramento, with concerns tied to the new offense built around Acuff. The Kings have been described as statistically one of the worst teams in NBA history so far, even if that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll finish the season that way.
The shot volume is one thing. The efficiency is another.
Acuff is shooting 40% from the field and 31% from three, which has fed the “ball hog” and “losing player” chatter that’s followed him early on. But the “empty stats” or “stat padding” label doesn’t tell the whole story.
He landed in a losing situation with a roster that doesn’t naturally fit together, and Sacramento’s personnel has put him on the ball full time and handed him more offensive responsibility than most rookies get by necessity.
That’s the same kind of early-career noise Lamelo Ball dealt with before changing the conversation last season.
Even with the criticism, Acuff’s talent is not in question. He’s viewed as one of the most gifted guard prospects in recent draft history, and as a small guard with elite shotmaking ability, he has the tools to separate himself. The Kings, though, will eventually need to build a defensive infrastructure around him, much like Jalen Brunson, if they want real postseason success down the line and a way to cover for his weaknesses.
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Kings Fans Wild Ref Incident Drew Luka Into The Drama
A tense moment in Sacramentos game against the Lakers spilled well beyond the usual back-and-forth on the floor when a Kings fan, Duncan McFetridge, was ejected after throwing a basketball toward a referee. The incident quickly became one of the nights most talked-about scenes, especially once Lakers star Luka Doncic stepped into the moment and confronted McFetridge during the game.
McFetridges wife later confirmed his identity and said he did not mean to hurt the official, adding another layer to a situation that already had plenty of attention. For the Kings, it was the sort of off-court flashpoint that can follow a heated matchup long after the final whistle, with the fan reaction and Doncics involvement ensuring the episode did not stay contained to one possession. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Suddenly Have A Bigger Sabonis Concern Than One Missed Game
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Sacramento will have to lean more heavily on other players while Sabonis sits, and that only adds to the pressure in what has already been a difficult season. Even before the matchup with Miami tips, the bigger question is not just how the Kings cover for him in one game, but what this latest knee issue might mean if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Kings May Be Headed Back To The Version That Worked Better
The Sacramento Kings spent much of the 2025-26 season trying to hold things together through coaching and front office changes, injuries, and a 22-60 finish that made the year feel like a reset more than a run. In the closing stretch, the rookies got more runway and offered a glimpse of a different kind of roster, one with more energy and a little more room to grow even if the results never followed.
Now the conversation is turning toward 2026-27, and the shape of the roster is starting to look familiar in a way that may not be entirely comfortable. The Kings are leaning mostly on veterans who have not yet clicked as a unit, while some of the younger players and injured rookies are expected back in the mix, giving Sacramento at least a chance to rediscover the version of itself that made more sense on the floor. [Read more 🡒]