Darius Acuff Jr. didn’t waste time looking like he belonged.
In the Sacramento Kings’ preseason opener, the top pick from this year’s draft showed the kind of calm, efficient game that has people around the team buzzing. The result was an ugly loss for Sacramento, but Acuff’s debut gave the Kings a clear bright spot to build on.
The rookie point guard finished with 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting, along with four assists, a steal, and a block. More than the numbers, he played with a steady rhythm. He controlled the pace, attacked downhill, and looked comfortable creating offense on his own terms.
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Quentin Grimes noticed it too, offering praise after the game and saying Acuff didn’t look like a rookie.
"Just his poise. He don’t really get speed up, kinda picks his spots…" Grimes said.
"Definitely a good sight to see for that team. Definitely didn't seem like he was a rookie at all in his first preseason game."
That composure has been a theme around Acuff all offseason. People within the organization have pointed to his work ethic and drive as major strengths, and head coach Doug Christie echoed that after the game.
"His poise is at a really high level, and he’s not ducking the smoke. He’s not scared. He is about his business."
Acuff also showed some activity on the defensive end, which matters for a Kings roster that already leans heavily on offense. He, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis are all known more for what they do with the ball than without it, so any signs of engagement on that side of the floor matter.
At Arkansas, Acuff backed up the hype by leading the SEC in scoring at 23.5 points per game and assists at 6.4 per game. He helped the Razorbacks win the program’s first conference title in 26 seasons, often taking over games as the offense ran through him under head coach John Calipari.
If he can translate even part of that production to the NBA, Sacramento may have more than just a promising rookie. A season like that could put him in the Rookie of the Year conversation and give the Kings a much clearer picture of what their future can look like.
For now, the early signs are encouraging. The Kings get another look at the Lakers on Thursday at 10:30 p.m.
In Other News...
Kings Already Face A Ben Simmons Problem They Can't Ignore
Ben Simmons arrived in Sacramento carrying the sort of baggage that makes every offseason addition feel a little more complicated than the last. The Kings took the gamble anyway, betting that a fresh setting could help a player whose injury history and broader career detours have made him one of the leagues most scrutinized names. For a team trying to stay relevant in a loaded Western Conference, the appeal is obvious enough: if Simmons can give them even a slice of his old value, he changes the look of the roster.
The problem is that the expectations around him are already moving faster than the Kings likely want. Some around the league are talking about Simmons as if he is ready to reclaim an elite level immediately, which only sharpens the pressure on a player who has yet to play a game for Sacramento. The Kings would prefer a slower ramp-up and a more careful return, with an eye on both his physical condition and where he is mentally after so much time under the microscope. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans Have Heard This Story Before And Its Concerning Again
The Kings are back in familiar territory this fall, with another round of questions about the mood inside the building before the games even start counting. At a preseason dinner, owner Vivek Ranadive addressed the team, and the message quickly became a point of debate after NBA insider Zach Lowe described it as a roast that took aim at players and staff. For a franchise that has spent plenty of time trying to project stability, even the conversation around a dinner speech can feel larger than it should.
Scott Perry pushed back on that framing, saying the speech was meant to motivate and inspire the group rather than tear it down. Still, the public disagreement has only added to the sense that not everything is perfectly settled behind the scenes, especially with Kings insider James Ham pointing to ongoing internal issues connected to why some players have missed preseason action. The details there remain unconfirmed, but it is another reminder that Sacramento is once again trying to keep the focus on basketball while the off-court noise lingers in the background. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Head To Golden State With Two Big Roles Suddenly In Focus
Sacramentos preseason has opened with back-to-back losses to the Lakers, and the quick turnaround to Golden State offers the Kings a chance to see where some of their new pieces fit before the games start counting. The early focus has been less about the final scores and more about the roster mix, with rookie Emanuel Sharp also expected to get a look as Sacramento tries to sharpen its three-point shooting.
The bigger spotlight is on the frontcourt rotation and the questions it raises for the starting group. DeAndre Hunter is being pushed by Precious Achiuwa, while Ben Simmons is part of the same conversation as the Kings sort through a competition that could shape how they open the regular season. Sacramento still has plenty to learn in preseason, but this trip to Golden State should offer a better sense of which combinations the staff trusts most. [Read more 🡒]