Nique Clifford’s career as a Sacramento King is over. On Sunday, Sacramento traded the 24-year-old to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Sacramento Kings are trading Nique Clifford to the Oklahoma City Thunder for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Ngodsi2Wjv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 8, 2026
2028 Utah pick and 2030 Minnesota second rounders go to the Kings from OKC, sources tell @TheAthletic. Those drafts are expected to be very deep.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 8, 2026
Clifford was drafted 24th in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Kings. Last season, he played in 75 games and started in 28. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25 minutes per game. This season, Clifford has fell out of Doug Christie’s core rotation. He is averaging 6.3 minutes per game (1.6 points, 1 assist.).
Ironically, Oklahoma City traded the draft rights of Nique Clifford to Sacramento for a 2027 San Antonio first (if 17-30).
A year later, Oklahoma City gets Clifford and likely the Spurs first in June.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 8, 2026
There is a chance, of course, that the Thunder figure out how to utilize Clifford better. In fact, there is a really high chance of that. But Clifford just hasn’t proven to be consistent enough or particularly good at one specific thing. That being said: Be free Nique. Enjoy being part of a winning culture.
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