Darius Acuff Jr., the standout guard from Arkansas, is widely projected to be selected sixth overall in Tuesday night’s NBA draft, with several draft analysts anticipating he will join the Brooklyn Nets. Acuff concluded his freshman season with a remarkable postseason scoring run, averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds over six games in the Southeastern Conference tournament and NCAA tournament, while shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc. His performance established him as a versatile three-level scorer and drew comparisons to established NBA players like Jalen Brunson.
The top three picks of the draft—AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer—are considered all but locked in, but uncertainty grows deeper in the mid-first round where several high-upside prospects, many with limited college tape, await selection. North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, who missed the last nine games of his college career due to a thumb injury, is expected to be picked fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls. Wilson’s style fits with Chicago’s recent coaching hire Tiago Splitter, and he limited his predraft visits to Chicago alone, signaling a strong mutual interest.
Following Wilson, a cluster of guards is anticipated to be selected in the fifth through seventh spots. Keaton Wagler, known for his shooting and playmaking, has met exclusively with Chicago and Los Angeles Clippers representatives, suggesting he is a top-five pick candidate. The Clippers, with Darius Garland as their current point guard, reportedly are seeking a combo guard, making Wagler an attractive option.
At the sixth spot, the Nets reportedly are considering Acuff along with Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., whose draft stock is affected by limited playing time and lower back issues, as well as Tennessee big man Nate Ament. Brooklyn holds significant salary cap space this offseason, ranking in the top five, and appears positioned to offer sizable contracts to complement its incoming draft class. Reports indicate the Nets plan to extend a four-year, $178.5 million contract to Austin Reaves when free agency opens on June 30, aiming to address their team’s recent struggles, particularly after finishing last in NBA scoring.
Speculation persists around Acuff’s draft preferences, with rumors suggesting his camp leans toward a connection with the Sacramento Kings, where he would likely assume a primary scoring role. However, skepticism remains given Sacramento’s history of asset mismanagement. Industry observers interpret these rumors as strategic positioning by Acuff’s representatives to maximize contract value and ensure a clear role without crowded backcourt competition.
Despite the circulating speculation, the prevailing expectation among draft experts is that Darius Acuff Jr. will become a member of the Nets, joining the team at Barclays Center for the upcoming season and potentially contributing immediately as a scoring catalyst alongside Reaves.