After the 2025 NBA Draft, many people thought the Kings got the steal of the night by picking up Nique Clifford at number 24. While he definitely has the skill and talent to succeed, his lack of aggression is holding up his development. He needs to find that dog inside of him now.
Going into the 2025-2026 season, Clifford was highlighted as a rookie to watch by many people. Some even though he had what it took to be a Rookie of the Year contender. That being said, taking the ROTY award away from Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, or VJ Edgecombe is a tall task.
Clifford's regular-season performance has been a bit different from what was expected. There have absolutely been moments of brilliance from the young guard, but there is a lack of consistency. Coaches are never quite sure which version of Nique they're going to get each game.
It's an issue that becomes even more obvious when compared to fellow rookie, Maxime Raynaud. The Kings' breakout center has found his rhythm and confidence quickly, which has been good in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. Raynaud's name even found its way onto the Kia Rookie Ladder.
Clifford needs to let that dog bark
To put it bluntly, Nique is just not aggressive enough on the court. He seems hesitant, if not a little fearful at times. What he needs to do is hang out with Russell Westbrook for a week. That guy is borderline fearless and will run down Steven Adams for a rebound.
You can forgive a rookie for needing time to figure out how they fit into the NBA. Going from college ball to the big leagues is a huge transition. Clifford is 23 years old and just went from playing against guys his age and younger to facing off with full-grown men on the court. That could rattle anyone.
Regardless, Clifford needs to let the dog out. He needs to get aggressive, both on offense and on defense. Stop deferring to other players on his team and take the shot. Stop giving the other team space to move and get in the way. Take the foul. Keep moving. Never give up, never surrender.
Nique Clifford has everything it takes to be a truly great basketball player in the NBA. There's no question of that. Now, he just needs to find his voice on the court. His recent performance against the Blazers showed improvement, but there is definitely still work to do.