Evaluating Kings rookies, second-year guys through eight NBA summer league games

Evaluating Kings rookies and second-year players through eight NBA summer league games examines Sacramento’s uneven progress during the event. The Kings entered Las Vegas after a 3-0 run in the California Classic, then finished with a 5-3 record across eight summer league contests, winning only two of their final five games. Early attention focused on Darius Acuff Jr. versus Keaton Wagler at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday, followed by matchups including a game against the No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and another against the Wizards. The story highlights Acuff’s scoring output and shooting struggles as key development points: after 25 points in his Kings debut at the California Classic and 22 the next game, he attempted 48 shots across both contests. In Las Vegas, Acuff outscored Wagler, while Wagler posted seven points on 1-of-7 shooting. Across five games, Acuff averaged 20.8 points with 35% field goals and 27.8% from three.