LAS VEGAS — Not only does Nique Clifford look like an absolute steal of a draft pick by the Sacramento Kings, but his Summer League showings should provide some hope that he could fill the De’Aaron Fox-sized star power hole currently residing at Golden 1 Center. That’s how impressive he’s been in Las Vegas.
The Kings selected Clifford with the No. 24 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, giving them a perfect glue guy to play alongside Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Demar DeRozan. He’s poised to be just that, but the Kings may have gotten more than even they themselves bargained for.
Clifford looks like a potential superstar.
What has Nique Clifford done at Summer League?
At every turn, Clifford has looked like a star during his stint with the Summer League Kings, and the results have spoken for themselves. The Kings are now heading to the Summer League championship, squaring off with the Charlotte Hornets.
Statistically, Clifford has been amazing. Across his five Summer League appearances, Clifford has averaged 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting a scorching-hot 55.4% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the three-point arc.
But Clifford’s potential superstar status hinges more on the stats themselves. It’s the way he carries himself on the court.
At one point in the week, Clifford had the ball in the corner. He took two steps in, dribbled back, and nailed a step-back three without hesitation. Everyone at Summer League is probably capable of hitting a similar move. Clifford executed on the court without breaking a sweat.
It’s the threaded passes between the defense in the pick-and-roll that don’t end in assists for himself, but set the Kings up for beautiful possessions. It’s the defensive stance on one side of the court, even though the ball is nowhere near him. It’s the shot-blocking instincts off the ball in help defense when his big gets beat in transition.
All of the small things that help a player succeed in the NBA, Clifford has shown off in bunches during his time in Vegas.
Can Nique Clifford really replace De’Aaron Fox?
Clifford and Fox aren’t the same player. Clifford is a wing, and Fox is a pure point guard. (Even though Clifford showed off some underrated playmaking chops in Vegas.) But Kings fans should get excited.
When Fox left, the franchise superstar left. Sabonis has been incredible, but Fox has been the face of the organization since he was drafted in 2017. Now, the Kings find themselves in an awkward middle ground.
Clifford has a long way to go. He needs to provide himself on a much bigger stage than the Thomas & Mack hardwood. But he looks incredible in Vegas.
And if all of the on-court skills he showed off in Summer League can translate, Clifford has the potential to fill the superstar hole Fox left in Sacramento.