This might be the best player available at five.
The Los Angeles Clippers wrapped up 2025-26 capping a year that recovered from a 6-21 start to finish above .500.
They missed the playoffs, but the deadline deal that sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana paid off when the Pacers' pick landed at No. 5 and went to Los Angeles for the highest draft pick in franchise history.
With AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson almost certainly going in the first four picks, the Clippers will have their pick of the next tier on June 23.
That is where Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. enters the picture.
Why Scouts Love Acuff Jr.
Acuff put together a historic freshman year, averaging 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three across 36 games for John Calipari's Razorbacks.
He won SEC Player of the Year and the Bob Cousy Award, then led Arkansas to an SEC Tournament title and a Sweet 16 run.
The Clippers landing at fifth puts them right in range for a player like that.
He controls tempo, makes smart reads in the pick and roll, and shoots well enough off the catch to play without the ball.
At the combine he posted the fastest three-quarter court sprint of any participant and measured in with a 6-foot-7 wingspan at 6-foot-2, which helps offset the typical size concerns.
The biggest knock is his defense, where he struggles on screens and gets beat off the dribble too often, though similar guards like Trae Young have become All-Stars despite that same weakness.
Take the Best Player Available
Acuff is not the only option for the Clippers at No. 5.
Houston guard Kingston Flemings brings better defensive tools and averaged 16.1 points and 5.2 assists as a freshman.
Michigan center Aday Mara could fill the hole left by the Zubac trade, and Keaton Wagler could be more of a fit next to their core players.
NBA insider Brett Siegel recently said "there's some chatter about the Clippers exploring all their options, whether it's going after one of these guards with their 5th pick, maybe it's trading down."
There is also the Darius Garland factor.
The Clippers already have a point guard they traded James Harden to get, so adding another ball-dominant guard raises questions about what comes next for Garland in Los Angeles.
But fit can be sorted out later, and the Clippers are not in a position to pass on the best talent available because of overlap they can work through.
If Acuff is the best talent sitting there at five, Los Angeles should grab him.
This franchise has never picked this high, and the front office has real options for the first time in a long time.
Take the best player and figure the rest out from there.
