Darius Acuff Jr. Downplays Shot Volume Concerns in Video, Talks Relationship With Kings' Veterans

Sacramento Kings point guard Darius Acuff Jr. has started his NBA career with a staggering volume of field-goal attempts, leading to some speculation there could be discontent brewing internally.

Acuff downplayed those concerns on Wednesday.

"It's great," Acuff Jr. said when asked about his relationship with his teammates. "They're there for me every game, every practice, every day. Every single play of the game, they give me advice, good or bad, just letting me know when certain things are there. And I think it's going good. Everybody on the team — vets, secondary players or whatever — we obviously got great chemistry and great trust, so it's great."

Acuff Jr. is currently tied with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić for the most field goal attempts per game (23.6). He also leads the league in three-point attempts (96). 

The 19-year-old's ball-dominant playing style has certainly turned heads, and it has resulted in conflicting reports regarding the team's chemistry.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported on The Hoop Collective that the three-time NBA All-Star "wants out of" Sacramento and called it a "bad situation" for the big man, but did not specifically relate that desire to Acuff's playing style.

Acuff Jr. was asked about how much attention he pays to the discussion surrounding his shot attempts.

"Not a lot," Acuff Jr. said. "I'm just trying to keep getting better every game. I'm not worried about what the media's saying or none of that. I'm just out here hooping and trying to get better for my team and building chemistry with them every game."

Sacramento's six consecutive losses to start the season certainly don't help any potential frustration in the locker room.

Franchise legend Mike Bibby echoed concerns about Acuff Jr.'s shot attempts during a podcast after the Kings fell to an 0-6 record with a 136-105 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

"Let's see how long this is gonna take until everybody's disgruntled," Bibby said.

While Acuff Jr. has averaged nearly 24 field goal attempts per game, Sabonis has taken just 9.2 shots a night.  

"I don't care," Acuff Jr. said about the criticisms. "I just go out and hoop for my team."

The Kings selected Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after he was named SEC Player of the Year as a freshman. Although he's put together impressive performances through the first six games of his career, none of them resulting in victories until Monday.

The Kings took at least one step in the right direction on Monday with a 115-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Acuff Jr. hit a 27-footer over reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg to give the Kings a 15-point lead in with 3:41 left on the clock. The shot ultimately proved to be the dagger that helped Sacramento secure their first win of the season.