Dwayne Wade: Darius Acuff Jr. is drawing attention to Sacramento

Darius Acuff Jr. is already giving people a reason to pay attention to the Sacramento Kings, NBA legend and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade said recently on the WY Network’s Dwyane Wade Podcast.

For a team that rarely draws a national audience, Wade believes Acuff’s confidence and willingness to take responsibility can help change the conversation.

“Most people do not talk about the Sacramento Kings,” Wade said. “Nobody.” He noted that watching Sacramento can be a late-night commitment for East Coast fans, but said Acuff is helping put the team back in conversations around the league.

As the Kings’ recent first-round pick (seventh-overall), Wade said, Darius Acuff is doing his job. That means more than producing on the court: Wade sees a young guard who can help grow the team’s profile and give the organization a player to build around.

“When you have an organization trying to draft a guy, when you get a high pick, you’re trying to get a guy that you can build around, that can change your organization,” Wade said. “So they found a guy who they feel that they want to build around.”

Dwyane Wade says Darius Acuff Jr. is giving the Sacramento Kings an identity and should keep shooting

“Most people do not talk about the Sacramento Kings. Most people are not staying up to even watch the Sacramento Kings. Especially if you living on the East Coast. So it’s conversations going on around the Sacramento Kings already. As a guy who was drafted as their first pick, he’s doing his job. He got everybody watching the Sacramento Kings. When you bring a guy in, that guy not only need to do his job on the court, but to grow the brand, people got to talk about you off the court”

“When you have an organization, and when you get a high pick, you’re trying to get a guy that you can build around, that can change your organization. So they found a guy who they feel that they want to build around. Obviously, he’s having conversations with someone to tell him he got the ultra green light”

“When you draft a guard that is really ultra-aggressive, that is really good, that has the respect around the league, that changes who wants to come and play with you, who wants to be a part of the organization, everything. So instead of talking about his shot attempts, let’s talk about the fact that they got somebody that they can build around that everybody around the league going to respect”

“Everybody don’t want the ball. Everybody don’t want to shoot. Everybody don’t want the responsibility. This kid is showing you that he wants the responsibility. The shots that he’s missed early in the season when y’all talk about his field goal percentage, he will not miss later because he knows where his shots is coming from, what he’s going to shoot is going to get even more comfortable and confident in that. His percentages are only going to go up”

— dank (@cptdankkk) November 10, 2026

More on Darius Acuff Jr.

Darius Acuff Jr.’s aggressive approach has drawn attention to his shot attempts and early shooting percentages.

Wade argued that the Kings should look at the responsibility Acuff is accepting instead. Not every player wants the ball or the pressure of taking big shots, he said, and Acuff is showing he will take that role night after night.

Wade also put Acuff’s early numbers (25.9 points and 7.4 assists per game on 41/32/85 shooting splits) in the context of adjusting from college to the NBA. He expects the rookie to become more comfortable as he learns where his shots come from and settles into the league.

“The shots that he’s missed early in the season, when y’all talk about his field goal percentage, he will not miss later because he knows where his shots are coming from,” Wade said. “His percentages are only going to go up.”

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 06: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings stands on the court during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on November 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

That confidence fits the questions facing Sacramento as it evaluates its young roster.

In a recent discussion with former NBA executive Bobby Marks, the Kings’ cap situation was described as “clean,” with potential summer flexibility and roster decisions ahead.

Acuff’s development could help inform those choices: Sacramento needs young players who can earn trust, draw teammates and shape its identity.

Wade’s endorsement is an early vote of confidence. Darius Acuff Jr. still has to turn his shot-making and responsibility into consistent NBA production, but his willingness to embrace the spotlight is already helping put the Sacramento Kings on the map.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Bobby Marks: Kings are in position for upcoming financial flexibility
• Jerry Reynolds: Darius Acuff Jr. could be a top-five PG in three years
• Why the Sacramento Kings moved on from Nique Clifford
• Sacramento Kings trade Nique Clifford to OKC for two second-round picks

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Friday, November 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Sunday, November 15th vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6:00 P.M. PT)
• Wednesday, November 18th vs. Phoenix Suns (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Friday, November 20th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 P.M. PT)
• Saturday, November 21st vs. Boston Celtics (7:00 P.M. PT)

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