The Sacramento Kings may have found their future cornerstone in rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Zach LaVine seems to recognize that and is willing to take a backseat role so the rookie can shine.

His comments about accepting a support role drew mixed reactions, with some fans even taking a dig at Domantas Sabonis for seemingly having the opposite mentality.

Zach LaVine’s Willingness To Accept a Support Role for Darius Acuff Jr. Earns Mixed Reactions

For most of LaVine’s career, he’s been relied on to handle the bulk of his team’s scoring. He’s a shifty guard with explosive finishing and reliable perimeter scoring, making him an ideal primary scorer.

However, he appears ready to transition to a supporting role in Acuff’s show. After the Kings’ 107-100 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, the veteran guard said he was willing to play second fiddle to the rookie.

“Darius is special. This isn’t for me anymore,” he told the media during the postgame press conference. “I’ve got to be able to try and support him the best I can. If that’s playing off the ball a little bit more, if that’s in catch-and-shoot situations; that’s the role I’m in now.”

“I can go out and get it, obviously, if you tell me to go score,” he continued. “But I’m trying to be in the best support role I can for him because he’s gonna be real special.”

These comments from LaVine earned praise from fans, with some also taking potshots at Sabonis.

“Take notes Sabonis,” one X user said.

“W teammate, unlike Sabonis,” another comment read.

“Shoutout to LaVine. He could’ve easily let his ego get in the way but instead he wants what’s best for Acuff,” someone chimed in.

However, not all the responses to his comments agreed with him or praised him.

“LaVine is forgetting who the heck he is. He was one of the best shooting guards in the league at one point this decade. He should not be in a support role for a rookie,” one fan opined.

“Most respectable way of him saying he wants out too,” another suggested.

According to Tim MacMahon on “The Hoop Collective,” Sabonis is ready to move on from the Kings. He is also on the watchlist of stars who could be traded before this season’s trade deadline.

Rumors suggest that the three-time All-Star is not enthused about playing behind a ball-dominant guard, which is a major problem considering Acuff has emerged as the team’s new number one option.

In his first 11 games, Acuff averaged 26.2 points and 7.3 assists. He currently leads the team in usage rate at 32.2 percent.

His emergence has resulted in fewer touches for Sabonis. He is averaging 8.3 field-goal attempts per game, the first time since 2018-19 that he’s been under double figures in this stat. Through 10 appearances, Sabonis’ usage rate is 16.2%, his lowest mark since his rookie season.

LaVine, on the other hand, has seen an increase in scoring production from last season. His scoring is up to 22.3 points per game through 11 outings, an increase from the 19.2 points he put up over 39 games last season.

His usage rate is up to 26.0 percent from 23.7 percent last year and is currently tied with Malik Monk for the second-highest usage rate through the first 11 games.

Despite a slight uptick in production and usage for LaVine, it’s clear that Acuff is the primary option for the Kings, a pecking order that the 31-year-old veteran is more than happy to accept.