The NBA Summer League offered an opportunity to witness the Kings’ new rookies, Darius Acuff Jr., Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp in action. Fans also watched seasoned second-year prospects like Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Nique Clifford play in several games. There were ups and downs for every player, as the franchise ended with a 2-3 record overall.
With that said, here are some key takeaways from the Kings’ Summer League.
No Need for Overreactions About Darius Acuff
Acuff played five Summer League games, finishing with splits of 20.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game. His efficiency was poor, with shooting splits of 35% from the field overall, 27.7% from three, and 69.9% at the free-throw line.
Under Arkansas Head Coach John Calipari, Acuff was highly efficient in college, shooting nearly 45% from the three-point range. The Kings’ Summer League represents a stark contrast to what made him stand out in his freshman year.
His efficiency shouldn’t be a major cause of concern, though, as it is tough for most rookies to adjust to the pace of the NBA. Without much offensive support, defenses consistently pressured Acuff and forced him into contested shots. His teammates often provided little off-ball movement, so Acuff was usually on an island and needed to call his own shot.
He thrived as the primary ball handler and shot creator in college, but physicality at the NBA level is incredibly different. Defenders can latch onto someone like glue.
Acuff’s last game of Summer League against the Brooklyn Nets was a sight for sore eyes for Kings fans. He settled in and shot 9-of-18 from the field, scoring 26 points.
A common argument from critics is that he scored most of his points when that game was decided. In Summer League, however, there is no break from full-court presses and unique defensive sets. Every single player is on a mission to prove themselves.
Acuff handled the pressure of the moment and seized the opportunity to allow Kings fans to breathe a sigh of relief. He still managed to score at will throughout the Summer League, but adjustments to his play style were made in order to survive.
Thanks to his tight ball handling, he could drive to the hoop and finish through contact. With the three-point line deeper in the NBA compared to college, he strengthened his shot and found his flow in Las Vegas. Gradually, he found ways to contribute positively in games without being a detriment due to poor efficiency.
Critics have frequently question Acuff’s defense, but he improved his effort and overall technique each game. He’s not going to be a “solid” defender this year, but he’s learning to play team defense. If he can find a way to not be a liability on that end, he can take on a role similar to the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
Kings Defense Turns Heads
Over the past decade, one of the Kings’ main downfalls has been their lack of length and determination on the defensive end. Two recent additions, Jonathan Mogbo and Sharp, are helping change the narrative in Sacramento.
Mogbo, standing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, attended the University of San Francisco. He was selected with the 31st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors declined to pick up his $2.3 million team option, so he was available on the free agent market.
The Kings signed Mogbo to a two-way contract. He plays with a high motor, never giving up on plays even when they appear to be over. Whether by snatching rebounds over larger opponents or skying for impressive blocks, Mogbo is always a difference maker.
During the Summer League, he posted impressive defensive outputs, averaging 2.0 blocks per game. While his offensive game still needs work, he found ways to turn stout defense into easy buckets.
In his first Summer League game against the Brooklyn Nets, he posted five blocks en route to a comeback win. The Kings trailed by 19 points in the second quarter, but Mogbo helped ignite a young Kings squad.
Another spark in that contest came from second-round pick Emanuel Sharp.
The Kings took Sharp, a senior from the University of Houston, with the 45th pick because of his impressive three-point shooting and defense. Via Summer League, he instantly proved that the Kings’ front office made the right choice by drafting him.
During his first game in Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Kings consistently tasked him with defending the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Keaton Wagler. He played as if someone glued him onto his assignment, forcing the highly touted prospect into difficult shots or scenarios where he had to pass the ball away.
Wagler finished the game with just seven points, shooting 1-of-7 from the field. That was due, in part, to Sharp’s physicality. It can be tough for young guards to learn how to defend great players without fouling, but Sharp seems to have already mastered that skill.
Sharp averaged 2.8 steals per game during the Las Vegas Summer League, leading all Kings players and tying for fourth among all qualified players.
Marquel Sutton Was a Diamond in the Rough
On June 24, the Kings signed undrafted free agent Marquel Sutton to their Summer League roster. Little did they know he’d be the catalyst for multiple wins. The former Summit League Player of the Year had come off an impressive senior year at LSU, where he averaged 13.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Kings were interested in Sutton’s ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. He did not disappoint, playing 19.2 minutes per game across eight games. In a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, he scored 24 points, shooting 4-of-8 on three-pointers. He closed the Summer League out as a starter on a depleted Kings team, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 from the field.
Fans online have lobbied for Sutton to receive a two-way contract for the upcoming season. The only problem is that the three slots are already filled by Mogbo, Adam Flagler, and Isaiah Stevens. Flagler, a former Oklahoma City Thunder, was highly inefficient and potentially played himself out of his two-way deal.
Sutton provides length, high-quality defense and impressive skills beyond the arc, traits that all teams covet. He is also an efficient free-throw shooter for a wing, shooting 82.4% from the line in college. He possesses a quick first step and invites contact at the rim.
The Kings are lucky that Sutton fell into their laps and should not waste the opportunity to secure him long-term.
A Broken Touch Around the Rim
One of the standout rookies for the Kings last year was Cardwell, who previously played at the University of Auburn. Cardwell has a knack for blocking shots and using his enthusiastic, energetic nature to get the crowd behind him. Despite a season characterized by blowout losses, Cardwell was a box-office-level player that fans adored.
Throughout much of the Summer League, Cardwell was asked to operate as a starting center, with Raynaud missing games while playing overseas for his home country, France. Some of Cardwell’s flaws came to light and nearly cost the Kings numerous games. Viewers discovered his touch around the rim and free-throw shooting needs a lot of work.
On his free-throws specifically, he shot a combined 2-of-8 at the California Classic. This led him to completely change his shooting form in Las Vegas, opting for a higher-arcing shot. Nothing seemed to work, though, and defenders even resorted to intentionally fouling him to send him to the line.
If Cardwell wants to play significant minutes for the Kings down the stretch of games, he needs to find a way to improve his release, so he doesn’t wind up being an offensive liability at times like Mitchell Robinson of the Boston Celtics. Robinson, however, is known for his overall efficiency, but Cardwell was inefficient during the Summer League.
He tried a variety of shots close to the rim, including hook shots, floaters and even your average layup, but something seemed off. He finished Summer League with splits of 51.3% from the field, 0% on three-pointers and 40% on free throws.
Cardwell’s defense was exactly where you’d like it to be, coming off an impressive season where he put up 3.5 blocks per 48 minutes played. He must work hard to ensure that he doesn’t join the list of notable “hack-a’s” in NBA history with Hack-a-Shaq and Hack-a-Mitch.
Kings Outlook for Next Season
The Kings are in the midst of a rebuild, replacing veterans on large contracts with young, high-upside players. Despite a selection of talented rookies and second-year players, the next couple of seasons won’t be pretty. This is a time for development and increased connectivity.
Sacramento’s front office is banking on their young pieces ushering in an era of winning basketball.
Leave a comment