For the Sacramento Kings, the 2025-2026 season has been absolutely horrifying, possibly somewhat on purpose. While the rookies have been a highlight of the campaign, Nique Clifford needs to find his game. The word of the day for Clifford is consistency, and it will make or break his career.
Nique Clifford was the highest draft pick the Kings had in 2026, going in the first round at 24th overall. Technically, he was picked up by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they traded his draft rights to the Kings in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. OKC's draft pick war chest just keeps growing.
Many considered Clifford to be the steal of the draft, particularly based on his preseason performance. That didn't hold up in the first couple of months of the regular season, though that was more about the lack of minutes he was getting than it was his individual performance.
Over the last several weeks, Clifford has improved his game by leaps and bounds. One of his key improvements has been in his aggression, which was on full display against the Suns last night. That is important, but he also needs consistency in his game if he wants to find that next gear.
Nique Clifford has to deliver every game
For Clifford to be a leading force on this team, not to mention a key part of this rebuild, he has to bring the heat pretty much every time he steps on the court. Sure, everyone has an off game, but that doesn't excuse massive variations in scoring and efficiency.
In the Kings' recent loss to the Lakers, Clifford totaled up 26 points. What makes that more impressive is that he did that on 11 of 18 shooting from the field, one of two from three, and three of four from the free throw line. It was the definition of efficiency and consistency.
Last night's loss to the Suns was a different story. Clifford played almost the same number of minutes, but only collected 10 points. Even worse, he was five of 13 from the field, zero for five from three, and didn't take a single free throw the entire game.
Credit where it's due, Clifford did have eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals against the Suns, which is all great. But the Kings need him to be a consistent shooter. He can't have a 61.1 field goal percentage one night and 38.5 the next. In the NBA, consistency is the key to success.