NBA draft season always brings movement, but few prospects have surged quite like Darius Acuff Jr. The freshman point guard out of Arkansas has gone from intriguing talent to bona fide lottery lock, and in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest post-trade-deadline mock draft, Acuff finds himself firmly inside the top 10.
Darius Acuff Jr. Slotted No. 7 to Dallas in Latest NBA Mock Draft
Wasserman, one of the most respected draft analysts in the industry with strong intel across NBA front offices and scouting circles, projects Acuff to be selected No. 7 overall by the Dallas Mavericks, a pairing that makes sense for both sides. With Anthony Davis now gone from Dallas following the trade, a clear opportunity opens for another player to step into a star role, with significant production left on the table.
Dallas appears to be entering a transitional phase, with roster flexibility becoming a priority and an eye toward reshaping the franchise around young, high-upside talent. Whether the Mavericks pursue a rapid turnaround or a more patient rebuild remains to be seen, but the direction is clear: opportunity is opening up for a new lead guard to grow with the organization.
Enter Darius Acuff Jr.
Acuff’s ability to command an offense would immediately address a long-term need in Dallas. As a poised floor general with a mature feel for the game, he profiles as the kind of guard you can hand the keys to early, especially on a team preparing for a new era.
In this mock-draft scenario, Acuff would have the chance to grow alongside elite young talent such as Cooper Flagg, widely viewed as a future franchise cornerstone and one of the favorites for the Rookie of the Year this season. That type of backcourt-forward pairing gives Dallas a foundation built on skill, IQ, and competitiveness.
Perhaps just as valuable would be Acuff’s opportunity to learn from Kyrie Irving, one of the most skilled guards in NBA history. With Irving expected to be back healthy, Acuff wouldn’t be forced to shoulder the full offensive burden immediately. Instead, he could develop at a measured pace, absorbing nuances of shot creation, pacing, and playmaking from one of the game’s best.
NBA Scouts Love the Upside, but Questions Remain
For both player and franchise, it’s a scenario that feels close to ideal.
Wasserman detailed exactly why Acuff has climbed draft boards, highlighting the guard’s efficiency, control, and balance:
"“Top five in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Scouts have to be pleased about his balanced attack in a lead-guard role, as he's shown he can create his own shot or quarterback the offense based on what the game dictates.”"Jonathon Wasserman
That blend of scoring ability and decision-making is what separates Acuff from many young guards. He’s not just fast or flashy, he’s calculated.
While scouts will inevitably debate his athletic ceiling, Wasserman notes that Acuff continues to answer questions with skill and craft:
"“Front offices will discuss his athletic limitations, but the finishing craft he's demonstrated has been very encouraging (61.3 percent at the rim), and he's shown important comfort and precision with his floater (50.0 percent).”"Jonathon Wasserman
Those numbers reinforce what the eye test already shows: Acuff knows how to score without relying purely on explosiveness.
Wasserman’s NBA comparison for Acuff is Stephon Marbury, both in size and style of play, a tough, skilled guard capable of running an offense while still putting pressure on the defense as a scorer.
If Dallas were to land even Marbury-level production with the seventh pick, it would be considered a major win. A lead guard who can score, facilitate, and control tempo is a valuable commodity in today’s NBA, and Acuff is checking those boxes earlier than most.