The Sacramento Kings made their first major move under new general manager Scott Perry, selecting point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Arkansas Razorback arrives in Sacramento fresh off helping lead his team to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, bringing both proven tournament experience and the ball-handling skills the Kings have identified as a priority heading into the new era.
This selection signals a clear direction for Perry’s front office: addressing the point guard position with immediate impact talent. Acuff Jr.’s ability to navigate March basketball—where execution and composure matter most—offers evidence he can handle the pressure of NBA rotations from day one. For a Sacramento franchise hungry to rebuild momentum, plugging a position of need with a lottery-caliber prospect is exactly the kind of strategic move fans have been waiting for.
The Kings still have work to do. With picks 34 and 45 in the second round coming up tomorrow night, Perry has additional opportunities to add depth and fill other gaps. How these selections shake out will tell us whether the Kings are thinking short-term fixes or building a longer foundation. Either way, Acuff Jr. represents a real investment in Sacramento’s future at a position where the team needs upgrades.
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
