Nets evaluate Arkansas guard Acuff ahead of 2026 draft
The Brooklyn Nets conducted a workout with Darius Acuff Jr on Wednesday, adding the Arkansas guard to their list of pre-draft prospects as they look to rebuild following a 20-62 season.
The Brooklyn Nets have held a workout with Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr, a move that underscores the franchise’s focus on the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. Holding the sixth overall pick, the Nets are in the final stages of evaluating potential roster additions before the draft is scheduled to take place on June 23-24.
Acuff, who is projected to be selected between the fifth and tenth overall picks, has been active across the pre-draft circuit. In addition to his session with Brooklyn on Wednesday, he worked out for the Chicago Bulls on the same day and has scheduled upcoming sessions with the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks.
The workout comes as the Nets seek to address significant shortcomings in their roster following a 20-62 record in the 2025-26 season. With the team aiming to become competitive in the Eastern Conference, Acuff is viewed as a potential top-5 pick and a target for teams looking to trade up or back.
Acuff arrives at the draft after a standout freshman season at the University of Arkansas. He averaged 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 48.4 per cent from the field and 44.0 per cent from three-point range. His performance has placed him among the most commonly mocked prospects for Brooklyn, alongside other guards such as Keaton Wagler from Illinois and Mikel Brown Jr from Louisville.
The draft landscape also features the Los Angeles Clippers, who hold the fifth overall pick. The Clippers are reportedly considering guards like Acuff as they rebuild around Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland. The Nets possess a variety of guards with differing skillsets, and the evaluation of Acuff is part of their broader strategy to determine which player best fits their long-term plans.
