7 pick in the 2026 draft lottery, rumors of their interest in former Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. began to percolate. His restraint was rewarded, and Acuff – who heard all the same rumors about Sacramento’s desire to draft him – is eager to reward the franchise for its belief in him. “I heard the noise (about how much they wanted me),” Acuff told ESPN at Summer League. As Slater writes, the coming season figures to be a year of transition for the Kings, who are building around Acuff and their young core while veterans like Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine remain on the roster. Sabonis and LaVine are taking a positive approach and trying to make the best of the situation, according to Slater, who hears that both players reached out to Acuff shortly after he was drafted to convey their enthusiasm about teaming up with him.