You don’t always get a second chance to make a first impression in life, but Vlade Divac appears open to the idea. Following a near-reunion with Luc Mbah a Moute interrupted by a failed physical, the Sacramento Kings de facto general manager hired Quincy Acy, another former team member.
Acquired from Toronto in the December 2013 Rudy Gay trade, the Kings shipped Acy to New York in August 2014 after a 56-game tryout. Sacramento remained fond enough of the reserve to renew their relationship, yet the same goes for Acy and his recommitment with an organization known recently for its instability.
Acy’s homecoming adds to a flurry of veteran signings. To read about Rajon Rondo and Marco Belinelli’s fits with the Kings, click here. For Kosta Koufos and Omri Casspi’s potential roles, click here. For Caron Butler’s analysis, click here. Including Seth Curry, Sacramento’s roster now stands at 16 players.
Quincy Acy – 2 years (player option for 2016-17)
Value: Rounded energy big off the bench
Acy has established a reputation for violent dunks, but he’s more than a one-trick pony. His highlights above the rim are a product of his relentlessness running the floor, making hard cuts and hunting for offensive rebounds. While Acy isn’t a strong dribbler and doesn’t create looks for himself (less than a fourth of his field goals were unassisted this year), his knack to get open in the paint makes him a perfect fit for the low position in the dribble drive offense.
Additionally the power forward has made strides as a set shooter. Asked to shoulder a bigger offensive role for the Knicks last season, Acy more than doubled his attempts between 10 and 16 feet (13.3 percent of his total shots) and made 40.9 percent of his tries. Even more surprisingly he took 60 3-point attempts, quadrupling his total from 2013-14, and made 30 percent from long distance.
With the ball in his hands more, Acy became more generous. The big managed a career-high assist percentage in New York, as well as a personal-best turnover percentage. Sacramento is currently loaded with scorers so Acy won’t see nearly as many touches while on the court, but his improving decision making only adds to his Corolla-like efficiency.
As a defender, Acy has stepped up in the pros since his uninspired play at Baylor. Despite often guarding larger bodies, the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder has graded out to be an above-average stopper for the last two campaigns. Acy has focused less on blocks and steals as he’s aimed to use his strength to body up assignments and throw them off balance. His effectiveness guarding the perimeter skyrocketed this year, as he held opponents 11.2 percent below their usual 3-point percentage.
Considering Carl Landry’s inability protecting the outside last season, Acy represents a significant upgrade. Acy is also a better defensive rebounder than Landry, but he likely won’t see as much floor time as the 31-year-old. The import is slated to sit out the regular rotation, as Rudy Gay, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos are expected to soak up minutes at the four.
Final Analysis
Limitations aside, Acy is an asset who can be useful in any game situation. The 37th pick of the 2012 draft lacks positional versatility and will never be the focal point of an offense, but his smart play on both sides of the ball makes him a valuable backup.
Acy was liked in the Kings locker room during his first stay, so his presence on a cheap salary should immediately serve as a positive. Sacramento is now projected to have a wealth of frontcourt depth, which has been absent for over a decade.
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