Domantas Sabonis and Darius Acuff Jr. have no issues

All week the story was that Sabonis can't stand playing next to the rookie. Siegel's sources say that part is wrong, and the trade part is still on.

ClutchPoints

@ClutchPoints

There are no issues between Domantas Sabonis and Darius Acuff Jr., per ClutchPoints’ @BrettSiegelNBA: “Despite rumors citing an uneasy relationship between the rookie guard and veteran center, sources close to the team say Sabonis and Acuff have a great relationship, with the veteran helping spread his knowledge to the rookie, specifically in practices… …There are no ill feelings whatsoever between Sabonis and Acuff, nor is there any awkwardness existing between the big man and management. [Sabonis] would prefer a change in scenery, and he will very likely get his wish over the next three months leading up to the Feb. 11th trade deadline.” (via t.co/cq5XZetQVF)

The rumor came from somewhere. Sean Deveney of Heavy reported that Sabonis was "not enthused" about teaming up with Acuff and watching his offensive role shrink. Around the same time, ESPN's Tim MacMahon said bluntly that "Sabonis wants out of there, and if they can move him, they would. So he's not happy." Put those 2 things together during an 0-6 start and you get the obvious headline: the vet hates the kid.

The box scores made it easy to believe. Sacramento took Acuff 7th overall out of Arkansas in the 2026 draft, and he has played like a Rookie of the Year candidate right away, averaging 25.6 points, 7.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds on nearly 24 shots a night. Sabonis, who is 30, is down to 15.1 points a game, his lowest since his 2018-19 season in Indiana, on 8.6 shots, 5th on his own team. In one game Acuff put up 25 shots and Sabonis got 5. When the ball stops coming to a 3-time All-Star, people assume there's beef.

Siegel says there isn't. According to his sources, Sabonis has been teaching the rookie in practice, there are "no ill feelings whatsoever" between them, and there's no awkwardness between Sabonis and the front office either. ESPN's Brian Windhorst has a similar read: Sabonis has "praised Acuff several times and has gone to lengths to support him." Even Deveney later said his reporting was about the rebuild and where Sabonis is in his career, not about Sabonis disliking Acuff.

Legion Hoops

@LegionHoops

REPORT: There are no issues between Domantas Sabonis and Darius Acuff Jr., as they have a ‘great relationship’, per @BrettSiegelNBA. “The veteran helping spread his knowledge to the rookie, specifically in practices. There are no ill feelings whatsoever between Sabonis and Acuff, nor is there any awkwardness existing between the big man and management. He would prefer a change in scenery, and he will very likely get his wish over the next three months leading up to the Feb. 11 trade deadline.”

That's the honest version, and it's probably the more believable one. A 30-year-old big man doesn't need to hate a 19-year-old to see that he doesn't fit the timeline. The Kings are 1-7, they're building around a rookie guard who shoots every time down the floor, and Sabonis would rather compete for something than mentor through a rebuild. Siegel says he'd "prefer a change in scenery" and will "very likely" get it.

The tough part is the money. Sabonis has about $94 million left over 2 guaranteed seasons, and Windhorst has pointed out that a trade partner who makes sense for that contract isn't easy to find. Sacramento sees the deal as good value, and the rest of the league may not. The clock runs out at the Feb. 11 deadline, so expect 3 months of Sabonis rumors while he keeps showing Acuff the ropes in practice. Being a pro and wanting out can both be true.