While he might be stuck on one of the worst franchises in the NBA, Darius Acuff Jr. keeps turning in massive performances for the Sacramento Kings. Now, the question is if this team can acutally put Acuff's work to good use. As it stands right now, things are looking pretty grim in Sactown.
There are no shortage of problems with the Kings to discuss, particularly if you get into coaching, the front office, or ownership. But there's no denying that this team has plenty of talented players on the roster, particularly their rookie point guard. Acuff is putting up big numbers and breaking records.
The Kings' most recent loss to the Heat dropped them to a record of one and nine. While that's all terrible news across the board, Acuff put on another show for the fans. He finished up with 32 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal. That's a solid game for a rookie point guard.
Acuff is now averaging 25.9 points and 7.4 assists per game. He has three double-doubles, has scored 20+ in four games, and has scored less than 20 in only two. His three-point shot continues to improve. Acuff went three for seven against the Heat, putting him at 31.9% on the season.
What are the Kings going to do with Acuff?
The problem with Sacramento is not Acuff. It's how are they going to build around him. When Scott Perry drafted Acuff, the goal was to position the rookie point guard as the focus of the rebuild. The plan was to get him in place, then build out from there. It's not a bad plan, all things considered.
But this is the Sacramento Kings we're talking about, one of the worst franchises for developing young players in the league. They have already dropped Nique Clifford, another first round draft pick who could have been a great 3&D bench player for them. Now, he's in Oklahoma City with SGA.
Sacramento needs rookie talent around Acuff as part of the rebuild. That's not going to happen if they keep trading their young players for more picks, then draft more rookies they're not going to develop. It's like they're waiting for a roster of magic rookies who show up fully developed.
Those players are called veterans, and the Kings are also trying to get rid of them. Acuff cannot be a one man show on the court. He needs a solid team around him to succeed. If the Kings keep throwing strong developmental talent away they way they have been, that's not going to happen.
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