The Milwaukee Bucks have worked out Arkansas Razorbacks star Darius Acuff Jr. ahead of the draft, per HoopsHype's workout tracker. While it never hurts to cast a wide net, the odds of the Bucks being the team Acuff lands on feel incredibly slim, given that the Sacramento Kings, who will pick a handful of slots higher than Milwaukee, reportedly love the guard.
Kings will likely snag Acuff before Bucks
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Kings are enamored with Acuff. The guard already has built-in connections within the organization, as Scott Perry, Sacramento's general manager, coached Acuff's father at Eastern Kentucky back in the day. That alone won't convince the Kings to take him, but it certainly fuels the fire.
Sacramento also simply needs a lead guard. Trading away Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox, a pair of guards who have been in the NBA Finals over the last two seasons, has set this franchise back far. Now, it's time for them to find a franchise guard and actually let them grow into the type of star who can bring this franchise back to contention. Acuff has the tools to potentially be that.
If he's still on the board when Sacramento is up with the seventh pick, it would be a massive twist if they passed on Darius Acuff Jr.
Bucks must look elsewhere to beef up backcourt
Like Sacramento, Milwaukee could use a guard in this upcoming draft. Per The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required), the Bucks have indeed looked into a handful of the big names who could be available with the 10th overall pick, including Labaron Philon Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Christian Anderson Jr. Even if Acuff is not there, there will be backup options.
Any of those players would fit snugly in the backcourt alongside Ryan Rollins. Whether the Milwaukee Bucks employ Giannis Antetokounmpo or not next season, adding one of these high-profile guards would be justifiable. The only question is which ones will be available and if the Bucks hold some of them in a higher regard than others.
It's not a certainty, but it feels fair to assume that the Milwaukee Bucks can pencil it in that Acuff will not be among the options waiting to hear his name called when they are on the clock. A significant turn of events would have to take place for the Kings to abandon their rumored intense interest.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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