With Darius Acuff Jr. joining the Sacramento Kings after a dazzling freshman year at Arkansas, the organization is aiming to sign a veteran to help mentor the No. 7 overall pick.
Acuff was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 44% from 3-point range. He ranked third in the country in points (845) and seventh in assists (232), both of which were single-season program records.
The 19-year-old was heavily linked to the Kings throughout the predraft process, in part, because of their need for a talented point guard. They are considering re-signing future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook to help mentor him, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
League sources say that Sacramento
covets a veteran point guard to mentor prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and is thus now weighing the prospect of bringing back Russell Westbrook … or bringing in Victor Oladipo to fill that role. The Kings were among the teams to attend Oladipo's recent workout in Las Vegas during summer league.
Acuff debuted with the Kings in summer league, averaging 20.8 points, 4.6 assists, 1.6 rebounds, one steal and one block while shooting 35% from the field in five games. He scored 20 or more points three times, including a 26-point performance on July 14.
The SEC Player of the Year had the opportunity to get acquainted with several teammates last month, including Dylan Cardwell, Nique Clifford and Alex Karaban. He is expected to play a significant role for the team and enters with the fifth-best odds for Rookie of the Year.
The Kings want to ensure their younger players have the leadership needed to help with life in the NBA on and off the court. Westbrook was often praised for his guidance last year, and he should be a perfect fit to mentor Acuff if he indeed returns next season.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Rumor: Kings want to bring in a veteran to mentor Darius Acuff Jr.
