The Sacramento Kings are heading into the 2026-27 season with almost no outside buzz, and the arrival of Darius Acuff Jr. is one of the few things giving the roster a real jolt of optimism. Even so, there’s still plenty unsettled after a rough 22-win campaign.
A big part of that uncertainty centers on the veterans. Sacramento is clearly leaning harder into its younger players, but all signs point to Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Malik Monk all being back in the mix next season.
That doesn’t mean the older core has to be treated like dead weight, either. If the Kings can squeeze more wins out of this group, that matters - especially with the NBA’s new lottery rules and the need to avoid the new relegation zone.
The most intriguing possibility is a backcourt pairing of Acuff and LaVine. On paper, it could be a defensive headache. Offensively, though, it has the ingredients to be one of the league’s most dangerous guard duos.
Acuff entered Summer League with a reputation as one of the draft’s best offensive prospects, but the passing was what really popped in the exhibition games. He kept finding teammates in good spots, often a step ahead of the defense.
The shots didn’t always fall for the guys around him, but the looks were there. That matters because LaVine is exactly the kind of shooter who can punish that kind of creation.
When LaVine gets wide-open three-point looks, he usually makes teams pay. Last season, he hit 46.5% of his “Wide-Open” threes, which the NBA stats page defines as attempts with the defender more than six feet away.
And that wasn’t a one-year spike. Outside of the 2023-24 season, when injuries limited him to 25 games, the All-Star guard has lived in the high 40s and even 50% range on those clean looks.
The issue for Sacramento is that LaVine didn’t get enough of them. Last season, he took just 2.2 wide-open threes per game. Most of his attempts came with a defender in the “Open” range - within 4-6 feet - and he made those at a 35.6% clip.
If the Kings are going to catch people off guard, getting LaVine more of those easy looks would be a major step. That’s easier said than done, because defenses tend to build their game plans around him.
But it’s not hard to see the blueprint. LaVine’s best years in Chicago came when he was playing alongside a healthy Lonzo Ball.
Acuff isn’t Ball, but Summer League showed he can help unlock LaVine in a similar way. And even if LaVine isn’t part of Sacramento’s long-term future, a strong season would only make him easier to move at the deadline. At the very least, the Kings may have found a pair that can be electric on offense, even if the defensive end is another story entirely.
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Another Kings Big Could Be Headed Out As Frontcourt Reset Continues
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For Sacramento, Eubanks is another frontcourt piece whose future is suddenly in question as the roster continues to shift around the paint. The Knicks do not have much cap flexibility, but they may still have a path to bring him in on a cheaper deal, which would give New York another veteran option and leave the Kings watching yet another big man potentially move on. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans Have Every Reason To Fear A Rebuild Disaster
The Kings are heading into next season with the kind of margin for error that makes every roster decision feel heavier than the last. Financial constraints are already limiting what the front office can do, and after a season undone by a shaky defense and a wave of injuries, Sacramento is left leaning on the same core group plus its rookies to keep the year from spiraling.
Darius Acuff Jr. is part of that answer, and so is whatever development the Kings can squeeze out of a roster that may not get much outside help. The problem is that the leagues new 3-2-1 lottery setup makes life even harsher for teams stuck near the bottom, which means finishing in the wrong place could leave Sacramento without the kind of draft luck that usually softens a rebuild. [Read more 🡒]
Darius Acuff Jr. Just Made A Bold Kings Franchise Claim
Darius Acuff Jr. arrived in Sacramento with the kind of confidence the Kings have been searching for in a young lead guard. The Arkansas point guard, taken seventh overall in the NBA Draft, has already talked like someone who sees himself as more than a prospect, emphasizing winning, chemistry and the responsibility that comes with running a team. For a franchise still trying to settle on its next identity, that matters almost as much as any summer showcase.
Acuffs early run in Summer League offered both the promise and the caution that usually come with a rookie point guard. He flashed real offensive ability and had one standout scoring night in Las Vegas, but he also showed the efficiency and turnover issues that can follow a young creator adjusting to the pro game. Even so, Sacramentos optimism around him is hard to miss, especially with new general manager Scott Perry in place and the idea growing that Acuff could eventually become the face of the franchise. [Read more 🡒]