Kings Facing ‘Critical' NBA Draft, But They Have a Potential Star in the Class

The Sacramento Kings are looking to rebuild going into the 2026-27 NBA season, and that starts with the upcoming NBA draft.

While many eyes are on the NBA playoffs, plenty of teams that didn’t make the cut and studying the college class of players that will be available in this year’s draft, including the Kings.

The deadline to declare for the 2026 NBA draft passed, and now, 71 college players have officially submitted their applications. The deadline for early entry candidates to take their names out of the pre-draft process and still keep collegiate eligibility is May 27.

So, the Kings are in need of a superstar, but they have a solid option right in front of them.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has unleashed a new mock on April 28, and he has the Kings going for Darius Acuff Jr., point guard, out of Arkansas.

“This is a critical draft for the Kings, considering the state of the current roster and the desperate need for a younger player to help transition into the next iteration of the team,” he states in the piece. “Sacramento looks like a friendly landing spot for any of the top guards. Acuff would instantly help elevate their offense and establish a new identity for the team moving forward.”

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Why Darius Acuff Jr is a Good Fit for the Kings

Acuff peaked at the end of the college season, and with that, he worked his way into the top five overall of draft selections. He’s easily considered one of the top guards in the draft class, and that fills a need for the Kings.

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He’s outstanding on offense and very advanced for his level, but he might be a defensive liability, so a good team would need to compensate for that. But, that’s more a direction than a warning.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 12:03 PM.