Darius Acuff Jr. made clear on the Draymond Green Show this week that he has little interest in guarding anyone but point guards. The Arkansas freshman, projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft, told Green that college coaches knew better than to ask him to switch onto twos or threes. That stance lines up with scouting reports that already flagged his defense as the weakest among the top guard prospects.

Acuff posted 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game in 36 starts while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. Those numbers led the SEC in both scoring and assists, and he finished with a 60.4 true shooting percentage. The production came in 35.1 minutes per night against a schedule that included multiple AP top-25 opponents.

The Mavericks, picking ninth and holding the 30th and 48th selections, are trying to add backcourt help around Cooper Flagg. Acuff's 6-foot-6.5 wingspan gave some teams hope he could grow into a versatile defender. Yet his comments reveal a mindset that prioritizes offense and positional purity over the switching and physicality required in the NBA. Dallas already leans on Kyrie Irving for creation and needs perimeter defenders who can hold up against bigger wings in playoff matchups.

Cooper Flagg's rookie season established him as a two-way cornerstone, but the roster still lacks size and toughness on the perimeter. Rival teams view Acuff's floor near seventh overall. Several front offices have downgraded him precisely because of the defensive red flags that surfaced at the combine and in his public remarks. The Mavericks cannot afford another high-usage guard who treats defense as optional.

The draft is set for June 23-24. Dallas could pivot to Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., or Kingston Flemings, all of whom project as better two-way fits at the top of the first round. If Acuff slides, the 30th pick offers a low-risk chance to take a swing. Passing at ninth would be the safer play given the team's timeline with Flagg.