CHICAGO — The Brooklyn Nets are in urgent need of a standout player, more so than any other NBA team.
Brooklyn has set its sights on Darius Acuff Jr., who promises to be the star they are searching for.
Since the breakup of their Big 3, the Nets have been without a defining figure for the franchise. Their misfortune in falling out of the top three in the lottery further dimmed their hopes of securing one.
However, Acuff—who has already had discussions with the team—believes he can fill that role.
Following an exceptional freshman season as a guard in college basketball, Acuff has impressed during this week’s draft combine. When asked about his potential role in the NBA, the confident 19-year-old didn’t hesitate to share his ambition.
“Definitely a superstar point guard for sure,” Acuff said. “Bring a lot of excitement to any city I go to, and just bring a lot of excitement straight from Day 1.”
And just how does the Arkansas freshman define a superstar point guard?
“A lot of accolades, just being on a winning team, it starts with the point guard,” said Acuff. “So any city I go to, I just want to win.”
The Nets could use any wins — and swagger — Acuff could bring. And there’s a very real chance he’s on the board for them at No. 6.
In 11 mock drafts surveyed, Acuff was the most linked to Brooklyn in six of them, including ESPN, Bleacher Report, The Ringer and The Athletic.
“Whatever team takes me, I’m good,” said Acuff. “Getting to know [Brooklyn], it was a good experience for sure, just talking to them.”
Acuff joins a group projected to go between fifth and tenth that includes Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament.
Sacramento picks seventh and likes Acuff, with GM Scott Perry having coached Acuff’s father, Darius Sr., at Eastern Kentucky.
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists, the first man to lead the SEC in both since Pete Maravich in 1970. It was the most prolific freshman guard campaign ever under John Calipari, who coached Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Derrick Rose, John Wall, Jamal Murray and Devin Booker.
Both a playmaker and three-level scorer (elite 60 percent finishing at the rim and 44 percent shooting from deep), Acuff is the most polished guard in the class offensively. It’s on the other end that concerns teams.
There have been questions about his smallish size and porous defense. He has helped his stock at the draft combine, finishing first in the three-quarter sprint and measuring 6-2 barefoot with a solid 6-7 wingspan. The measurements matched Damian Lillard, who Acuff emulates and has drawn comparisons to from scouts.
Asked by The Post if his solid measurements changed opinions, he shrugged.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really care,” said Acuff. “People are going to always have an opinion no matter what. So I just stay how I feel about the game. If people got an opinion, I don’t really got no . That’s their opinion on me.”
But some scouts have suggested Acuff could be the worst defender in the league as a rookie. Even if that’s hyperbole, lineups will need to be crafted to protect him, and he’ll have to get better at navigating off-ball screens.
Of course having to log 35.1 minutes at a 29.5 Usage Rate hurt Acuff’s defense. While he wouldn’t waste energy arguing with critics, he knows he has to put it toward improving.
“I don’t really got nothing to say to it. I just play every game. I know I want to play defense, so I don’t really respond to it,” Acuff replied to a question from The Post. “I’m just trying to do whatever I need for my team. I do feel like I need to pick up my defense; so I’m gonna do it.”
Acuff said as much in a courtside TV interview.
“Definitely [I need work] on the defensive end for sure. I think everybody knows that,” said Acuff. “I think I just gotta just take more pride in it, put more effort into it, and just be more focused on that side of the ball so I not only play but stay on the court.”