Kings Trade for No. 24 Pick: Meet Nique Clifford, Their Exciting New Draft Choice!

The trade is official! The Sacramento Kings have acquired the No. 24 pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder. They used this pick to draft Nique Clifford from Colorado State. This information comes from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Details from Sacramento radio host Carmichael Dave reveal that the Thunder will receive a top-16 protected first-round pick from the Spurs in 2027. If that pick falls into the protected range, OKC will get two second-round picks instead.

The Kings had been eyeing a first-round pick, as they only had the No. 42 pick heading into draft day. Reports indicated they were particularly interested in the No. 24 spot.

On the other hand, the Thunder didn’t need more first-round picks for their already strong roster. They selected Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber at No. 15.

Nique Clifford is seen as one of the most prepared players for the NBA. He spent three years at Colorado and then two at Colorado State, making him eligible for the draft at age 23. Although his early college stats weren’t eye-popping, he improved significantly in recent seasons. Last year, he posted nearly a double-double with 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.

Clifford’s rebounding ability places him among the best wing players in NCAA history. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony highlighted his instincts and competitiveness, noting how they’ve set him apart from others. With a build of 6’5″, Clifford is compared to Josh Hart, a player Kings GM Scott Perry has also shown interest in before.

As the Kings look to bolster their roster with young talent, Clifford’s versatility could be just what they need. His journey through college basketball reflects a trend of players becoming more ready for the professional game at a quicker pace, a pattern increasingly noticed by sports analysts. This could mark a shift in how teams approach the draft in the coming years.

For more insights on the NBA draft, visit ESPN’s draft coverage page for expert analysis and up-to-date statistics.

Source link

nique clifford