Bibby Questions Acuff Jr.’s Shot Volume Amid Kings’ Winless Start
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. is drawing criticism over his high shot volume as the team opened the 2026-27 NBA season 0-6. Former Kings guard Mike Bibby warned the approach could frustrate veteran teammates.
The Sacramento Kings were 0-6 through their first six games of the 2026-27 season, the NBA’s only winless team, as rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. became a focus of debate over the team’s offense. The seventh overall pick, 19, averaged 26.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists, leading rookies in scoring and assists.
Acuff Jr. was also taking 24 shots per game, the most in the league. Former Kings guard Mike Bibby said Domantas Sabonis is most effective when he handles the ball and creates plays for teammates. Bibby cautioned that losing, combined with veteran players being pushed aside, could lead to frustration.
In Sacramento’s latest game, a 31-point defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 38 points on 25 attempts. Sabonis recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, making three of five shots. He was averaging 7.3 assists for the season, ninth-most in the NBA.
The team’s early results have prompted talk that Sabonis may be unhappy with the situation. His assist numbers indicate he remains involved as a facilitator, while Acuff Jr.’s scoring has made him a central part of Sacramento’s offense. The Kings’ 0-6 start leaves the team facing continued scrutiny over how it balances the rookie’s role with its veterans.