The Sacramento Kings just gave up on Nique Clifford. Just over a year after drafting him and watching him dominate in Las Vegas at 2025 NBA Summer League, Clifford was shipped out to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for two second-round picks. This proves – once again – just how awful the Kings’ player development is.
During the 2025 NBA Draft, the Kings traded a protected first-round pick to the Thunder to trade up and take Clifford. He played well at Summer League and earned regular minutes last year. But he hasn’t been in the rotation this season, and now the Kings traded him to the Thunder for less than they gave up to get him.
That’s a pretty disastrous series of events, especially when it’s laid out like that. Yet it’s merely the latest in a long line of developmental failures by the Kings.
Nique Clifford trade is another Kings disaster
Outside of their playoff run in 2023, the Kings have been completely and utterly disappointing for the last two decades and beyond. No team needs a successful youth movement quite like the Kings.
Sacramento has had its chances. But along the way, and especially in recent years, all the Kings have done is waste draft picks and fail to develop the picks that have actually panned out.
Tyrese Haliburton is the best example. He showed a ton of promise in Sacramento. But the Kings got sick of missing the playoffs. So, they traded him to try to push for a postseason spot, adding Domantas Sabonis.
Now, the Kings have lost De’Aaron Fox, Sabonis is on a less-than-ideal contract, ahd Haliburton is one of the best players in the world (when he’s healthy).
There are smaller examples, too. Drafting Marvin Bagley III second overall over Luka Doncic is definitely less than ideal. Failing to develop Devin Carter was tough, too.
Neemias Queta is another prime example. The Kings drafted him in the second round and waived him a couple of years later. But now, he’s a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Boston Celtics. He just earned a big payday this summer.
Davion Mitchell thrived after leaving the Kings, too. Keegan Murray was off to a great start to his career but hasn’t been amazing in the last couple of seasons.
The Clifford trade isn’t just a failure for the Kings organization. It’s a continuation of the legacy they have built: The worst drafting and player development team in the NBA.
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