Deuce Mason is ‘not concerned at all’ about Darius Acuff Jr.

NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason joined Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show on Sactown Sports 1140 to discuss his transition into a full-time role covering the Sacramento Kings, his biggest takeaways from Summer League, and why fans should remain patient with rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr.

Mason will join Morgan Ragan for Kings pregame and postgame coverage throughout the 2026-27 season, a moment he admitted was something he had been working toward for years.

“I’m super excited to be on every single game,” Mason said. “It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do forever now, and it’s finally here. So it’s like, let’s go. 82 games.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento King poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Is Deuce concerned about Darius Acuff Jr.?

One of the biggest topics surrounding the Kings this offseason has been the performance of seventh overall pick Darius Acuff Jr. during Summer League. While Acuff showed flashes of his talent, his shooting percentages drew criticism from some fans.

Mason believes Summer League results should be viewed with perspective.

“It’s Summer League,” Mason said. “We need to have some perspective. Nowadays, because every Summer League game is televised, we try to project out based on four Summer League games.”

The former Kings draft pick emphasized that Darius Acuff was playing in unfamiliar circumstances, surrounded by new teammates and competing against players who may never appear in an NBA game.

“I’m more about the process,” Mason said. “I’m not worried about the shot making. The guy’s proven record of knocking down shots. Is he reading the game effectively? How is he handling the size? I think there were some mixed results there. But he’s such a smart player. He reads the game so well. I’m not concerned at all.”

Mason also highlighted the growth of second-year players, including Maxime Raynaud, who received opportunities to handle more offensive responsibilities during Summer League.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 04: John Ukomadu #7 of the Brooklyn Nets going up for a slam dunk gets fouled by Jonathan Mogbo #22 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“That’s what the Summer League is for, to experiment with those things,” Mason said. “You want these guys to get comfortable.”

Looking ahead, Mason believes the Kings have built a roster with more players who fit the identity head coach Doug Christie and general manager Scott Perry are trying to establish.

He praised players like Emmanuel Sharp, Alex Karaban and Jonathan Mogbo, while noting the importance of developing young talent over time.

“The type of player you take a swing on,” Mason said of Mogbo. “He checks a lot of boxes.”

As he prepares for a full season on Kings broadcasts, Mason says his goal remains simple: provide passionate analysis while keeping the experience entertaining for fans.

“We are going to find ways to tweak things and try things,” Mason said. “If it’s built on love, passion and fun, I think the results will turn out okay.”

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for Darius Acuff Jr. and the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned into Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, schedule announcements, analysis, and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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