Kings’ Acuff-LaVine Pairing Among NBA’s Top Scoring Duos

The Sacramento Kings are gearing up for another rebuilding season, as the defensive holes on the roster continue to outweigh the top-end scoring.

Darius Acuff Jr. and Zach LaVine are both top-18 scorers in the NBA, while forming the third-highest scoring duo.

Trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (60.8 PPG) and the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg (51.5 PPG), Sacramento's starting backcourt is averaging 49.8 points per game combined.

Acuff, who has set multiple NBA rookie scoring records through his first seven games, is averaging over 26 points per contest, and continues to trend in the right direction in terms of efficiency.

In the Sacramento Kings' recent loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, Acuff poured in 34 points, while adding 14 assists, six rebounds, and a steal.

Efficiency was not a problem, with Acuff making 50% of his attempts from the field, and his playmaking prowess shining through.

The following game, in Sacramento's lone win this season, Acuff scored 38 points, converting on a career-best nine 3-pointers, and extending his lead for the rookie scoring title.

As the season progresses, Acuff's shooting splits are only set to rise, but his continued focus on improvement and finding ways to win is very promising.

Acuff will need to find more ways to impact winning outside of his offense, but having him showing these flashes early on is promising.

While defense has never been Acuff's calling card, the former Arkansas standout has talked about needing to improve on that end, and the Kings will be getting back one of their top interior defenders.

Dylan Cardwell, who was Sacramento's defensive spark plug off the bench last season, is yet to make his season debut, but will do so Wednesday night against the Lakers.

Of course, he will be welcomed by Dončić and the Lakers' high-octane offense, but Cardwell's shot-blocking ability is something that has been desperately missed.

For LaVine, getting off to a hot start after missing most of last season was a goal, and he has done just that.

The former UCLA standout has scored 20 or more points in all but one game this season, while shooting over 50% from the field and 37% from distance.

In the Kings' first loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, LaVine caught fire, scoring 37 points and nearly leading Sacramento to a fourth-quarter comeback.

Going forward, having LaVine and Acuff clicking will be key as pieces fall into line around the high-octane backcourt.