The Sacramento Kings traded a future first-round pick to get Nique Clifford in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he already looks like one of the best players in this class. Celtics reporter Jack Simone even went as far as to say Clifford could be a multiple-time All-Star after watching him live in Vegas. Getting that type of player with the 24th overall pick is an absolute steal. The 6’5 wing could be a two-way force, and Kings fans should be excited.
Clifford averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 28.1 minutes per game in Las Vegas. He lifted the Kings to the championship game and was first-team All-Summer League. Impressive stuff for a rookie in his first professional action.
Clifford is already 23 years old after five seasons of NCAA action. Some will point to that as a negative, but the wing is poised to make an immediate impact and has room for growth. He improved every year in college and looks ready to make an impact at the next level.
Nique Clifford is the steal of the 2025 NBA Draft
Clifford did a bit of everything in Vegas. He was commanding double teams and forcing the opposition to make difficult decisions. None of it mattered. Clifford got buckets, made plays, and looked like a star. Summer league action is not the best predictor of NBA success, but Clifford certainly looked the part in his first action with the Kings.
It is fair to wonder about his playing time as a rookie. The Kings are a mess under owner Vivek Ranadive. Their roster has too many score-first players and veterans who want massive roles. The good news is Clifford is simply too good to keep out of the rotation.
There were plenty of draft experts and NBA teams regretting where they had Clifford on their boards after Vegas. The 6’5 wing shot over 37 percent from 3-point range in his final two college seasons. He is a plus rebounder with an NBA-ready body. There is a ton to be excited about when fans add in his playmaking and scoring chops.
Thinking Clifford will be an All-Star is a stretch, but expect him to be an impactful role player for the next decade-plus. That is a massive win for the Kings, given it cost them the 24th overall pick. This continues a trend of older prospects slipping only to quickly pop in the NBA. Credit to the Kings for seeing the talent and pulling off a trade to acquire him.
The Sacramento Kings are in for a rough season. They have talent on their roster, but the pieces don’t fit. Nique Clifford’s connective game could quickly become a bright spot and help balance things out. Don’t expect a ton of wins, but Clifford, Keegan Murray, and Devin Carter could get fans excited about the future. Kings fans can only hope.