The Sacramento Kings hold the No. 7 pick in tonight’s NBA Draft, and all signs point to them using it on Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. That decision, according to league sources, effectively closes the door on any remaining chatter about a Ja Morant trade to the Kings.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Sacramento was willing to take Morant off Memphis’s hands last season — but only if the Grizzlies sweetened the deal with draft compensation. Memphis balked at that. And now, with Acuff likely heading to Sacramento, the Kings look to be moving on from the Morant sweepstakes entirely.
Why Morant’s trade value cratered
It’s not complicated. Morant is a two-time All-Star who once looked like the future of the position. But his value has tanked over the last couple seasons. Injuries piled up. His play slipped. Off-court issues kept making headlines. And around the league, there’s a quiet but real shift away from building around smaller guards — even if Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are proving exceptions exist.
The Kings aren’t exactly in a position to take risks on a max-contract star with question marks. They’re rebuilding. Last season they ran Russell Westbrook at point guard, and while he brought energy, it was erratic and often messy. Acuff would enter a similar situation: a young team with room for mistakes, no real pressure to win now, and a front office that seems content to develop from within.
The draft clock is ticking
Memphis tried moving Morant before the deadline and couldn’t find a deal that worked for them. Now the Kings are effectively out of the mix unless something dramatic changes. Acuff is expected to be announced as the pick when the draft tips off at 8:00 pm ET. After that, the Morant-to-Sacramento rumor can probably be put to rest for good.
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