Kings Select Darius Acuff Jr. No. 7 Overall Following 22-Win Campaign

Sacramento drafted Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick after finishing the season tied with the Utah Jazz at 22 victories.

The Sacramento Kings concluded a 22-42 campaign by winning eight of their final 18 games, a surge that moved them past the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers in the final standings. This late-season momentum resulted in a tie with the Utah Jazz, who subsequently won a tiebreaker for the fourth lottery slot. While Utah jumped to the No. 2 pick to select Darryn Peterson, Sacramento fell to the No. 7 position in the June 23 draft. General manager Scott Perry used that selection to acquire Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr., a player who turns 20 in November and was ranked as a top-four prospect on the team’s internal big board.

Acuff enters a rotation featuring two high-salaried veterans in Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine. Sabonis, 30, remains under contract for two years and $94 million after a proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors for a package including RJ Barrett collapsed in February. That deal failed because Toronto could not shed the three years and $84 million remaining on Jakob Poeltl’s contract. Sabonis, who finished seventh in MVP voting during his first full Sacramento season, underwent surgery for a partially torn meniscus in late February. Despite recent trade inquiries involving the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and Boston Celtics, the All-NBA center remains with the Kings and switched his representation to CAA Sports in July.

Veteran Roster Dynamics and LaVine’s Status

Zach LaVine, 31, opted into a $48.9 million player option this summer, making him the 16th-highest paid player in the NBA. During the previous season, injuries limited the guard to 39 games and a scoring average of 19.2 points, his lowest output since the 2017-18 season. LaVine arrived in Sacramento via a three-team trade in February 2025 after De'Aaron Fox requested a move to the San Antonio Spurs. Following that transaction, the Kings posted a 15-18 record and suffered their second consecutive loss in the play-in tournament.

General manager Scott Perry explored sign-and-trade scenarios for LaVine this summer, but the team now expects him to be a primary rotation piece as his contract expires next year. Both LaVine and Sabonis traveled to Las Vegas during the summer league to meet with Acuff. The rookie point guard noted that Sabonis sent him a welcoming text message two days after the draft to discuss their offensive pairing. Perry described the rookie's role as a "quarterback" who must balance his own scoring instincts with the needs of established teammates.

Offseason Roster Adjustments and Free Agency

Sacramento reduced its luxury tax obligations by waiving the partially guaranteed contract of DeMar DeRozan. The front office is currently evaluating options for its final open roster spot, having held discussions with free agent guards Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo. Westbrook averaged 29 minutes across 64 appearances for the Kings last season, though any potential return would likely involve a minimum contract and a reduced role behind Acuff.

Oladipo, who has not played an NBA game since April 2023, participated in a private workout in Sacramento after a 15-game G League stint. Perry and assistant GM BJ Armstrong also observed Oladipo during a Las Vegas workout in July. Additionally, the Kings expressed interest in Jonathan Kuminga but declined sign-and-trade talks to avoid being hard-capped at the first apron. Without a trade involving the Atlanta Hawks, the team can only offer Kuminga a minimum salary.

Coaching Expectations and Youth Development

Head coach Doug Christie enters the final guaranteed year of his contract following a vote of confidence from the front office. Perry has publicly challenged Christie to show a "jump in development" during his second full season. The organization is prioritizing the growth of a young core that includes second-year players Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell.

Under the previous regime led by Monte McNair, the Kings reached 48 wins and the third seed in the Western Conference, but a subsequent 46-win season resulted in a drop to ninth place. Mike Brown was fired 31 games into the following year, leading to Perry’s appointment in April 2025. The current front office aims to surpass last year's 22-win total while establishing a specific identity for Sacramento basketball before the NBA's lottery reforms take effect for the 2027 draft.