While the Sacramento Kings' approach to developing Darius Acuff Jr. hinges on a 'sink or swim' mentality, there was a better way to go. The Kings should have continued with Russell Westbrook as the starting point guard, giving Acuff the chance to acclimate to the NBA in a more natural way.
Just in case you've been living under a rock, Westbrook has decided to call it a career. After 18 seasons in the league collecting numerous accolades and making history, he will retire as one of the greatest point guards this game has ever seen. Even without a title, he's still a verifiable legend.
That being said, Westbrook was close to hanging around for another season or two. Both the Kings and the Wizards made offers to Brodie, which weren't enough to keep him in the league. For Sacramento in particular, keeping him on the roster was an obvious and necessary move.
Reportedly, the Kings were pushing a reduced role for Westbrook that would have seen him play backup to Acuff. That's how Westbrook began last season with Dennis Schroder, and everyone knows exactly how well that worked out. Once again, the Kings may have dropped the ball.
Westbrook should have been the Kings' starter
Sacramento's approach to Acuff's development is both questionable and concerning. Their intentions are to take a 19-year-old point guard with one season of college experience and put him in charge of an NBA franchise that's currently in the middle of a tough, long-term rebuild.
Even worse, Acuff remains the only dedicated point guard on the team. There is no veteran to mentor him or back him up. If that's sounds like a potential recipie for disaster for the Kings, you're not the only one who is worried. Losing Westbrook has made the situation even worse.
The smart play would have been to bring Brodie back as the starting point guard with Acuff playing off the bench. This would have given the kid the time to get up to NBA speed as well as relieving the pressure that comes with leading the roster. Plus, there's no better mentor than Westbrook.
Instead, the Kings are creating a situation that could put Acuff on the path to failure. His talent and tenacity will hopefully get him through what Sacramento has on deck for him. If this doesn't work out, the Kings will be looking back at their missed opportunity with Westbrook.
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