The Sacramento Kings acquired the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from the Oklahoma City Thunder and selected Nique Clifford, a senior guard from Colorado State.
NBA insider Shams Charania first reported the deal on Tuesday night, noting the Kings’ trade-up to secure Clifford’s rights.
Clifford, 23, played five collegiate seasons—three at Colorado and two at CSU—culminating in a breakout senior campaign. He averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 37.7% from deep.
At 6-foot-6, the Colorado native brings positional versatility, strong rebounding from the wing, and improved shooting to Sacramento’s rotation. He also posted 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game last season, reflecting two-way potential.
The Kings, who missed the playoffs in the 2024–25 season, have prioritized adding athletic, multi-position players to complement Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan.
Clifford started all 36 games for the Rams in his final year, leading the team in scoring and rebounding while logging 35.4 minutes per game. He increased his free throw percentage to 77.7%, a key improvement over earlier seasons.
The trade details between Sacramento and Oklahoma City have not been disclosed, but the Thunder had acquired the No. 24 pick from the Clippers before moving it to the Kings.
Over his NCAA career, Clifford played 154 games with 122 starts, averaging 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds on 46.9% shooting. He developed into a reliable secondary playmaker, posting a career-best 4.4 assists as a senior.
