Nique Clifford News, Rumors, Updates - Sacramento Kings

Third year option picked up The Kings exercised their third-year team option on Clifford's contract Monday, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

Impact Clifford is officially under contract for the 2027-28 campaign. The 24-year-old has totaled just 19 minutes over two regular-season appearances so far this season, averaging 3.0 points while shooting 42.9 percent from the field. He also didn't see the floor in Sunday's loss to Memphis.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Friday Clifford is not listed in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against San Antonio, Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Clifford got the start in Tuesday's 110-98 preseason loss to Portland, finishing with two points, two rebounds, five assists and one block. However, he will come off the bench Friday in the last exhibition before the Kings begin the 2026-27 campaign versus the Clippers on Wednesday.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Flops in start Clifford posted two points (0-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one block in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 110-98 preseason loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact Clifford got the opportunity to start Tuesday, but he squandered the chance to leave an impression. The second-year swingman should still occupy a significant bench role for the rebuilding Kings this year.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Joins starting lineup Clifford will start Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Trail Blazers, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Impact Clifford will get an opportunity to work with Sacramento's first unit as the Kings continue evaluating their rotation ahead of the regular season. With several regulars unavailable, the young wing could see an expanded workload and additional opportunities to contribute offensively.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Don't give up on Kings' Nique Clifford quite yet Nique Clifford had a hot start to the Sacramento Kings' preseason that cooled off quickly, but he's still poised for a breakout.

OCTOBER 12 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Nique Clifford is starting to show exactly what the Kings want from him Based on his performance in the Sacramento Kings' home preseason opener, Nique Clifford really put the work in over the offseason.

OCTOBER 7 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Leads Kings with 23 points Clifford finished with 23 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-10 FT), nine rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes during Monday's preseason loss to the Lakers.

Impact Clifford came off the bench but led Sacramento in scoring while grabbing three offensive rebounds and committing just one turnover. The second-year wing was also among the Kings' first five reserves to enter the game, an encouraging sign for his chances of securing a consistent rotation role.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford could easily be eclipsed by at least two Kings' rookies NIque Clifford has to make a big impression on the Sacramento Kings this season as a couple of rookies are waiting in the wings.

SEPTEMBER 22 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Would Scott Perry Trade Any of His First Trio of Kings Rookies? Could the Sacramento Kings trade any of Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, or Dylan Cardwell this season?

AUGUST 22 • SI.COM

The One Stat Nique Clifford Must Improve in His Second Season Nique Clifford must improve in this area if the Sacramento Kings are hoping to make a jump in the 2026-27 season.

AUGUST 21 • SI.COM

Nique Clifford has a role on the Kings (and it's not point guard) If the Sacramento Kings want a backup point guard for Darius Acuff Jr., Nique Clifford isn't the right choice.

AUGUST 17 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Could see larger role Clifford enters his second NBA season after showing flashes as a versatile two-way wing during his rookie campaign.

Impact His ability to defend multiple positions and contribute as a rebounder should keep him in the mix for rotation minutes, though Sacramento's wing depth could make consistent playing time difficult to secure. Continued improvement as a perimeter shooter would go a long way toward expanding his role in 2026-27 after he hit 33.3 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

The Biggest Development Goal for Kings' 3 Sophomores What can Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell do to take sophomore leaps heading into their second seasons for the Sacramento...

AUGUST 1 • SI.COM

Nique Clifford needs to push harder for the Kings to succeed The Sacramento Kings need Nique Clifford to give everything he's got in season two for the rebuild to really get rolling.

JULY 31 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Two Changes Kings Need Nique Clifford to Make Next Season Nique Clifford could take a nice sophomore leap for the Sacramento Kings.

JULY 30 • SI.COM

Resting Friday Clifford (rest) is out for Friday's Summer League game against Charlotte, per Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140.

Impact Clifford is getting Friday night off for the Las Vegas Summer League finale. With DeMar DeRozan out of the picture ahead of 2026-27, Clifford could be looking at an expanded role on the wing with the Kings next season.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Wednesday Clifford (rest) is out for Wednesday's Summer League game against Boston, per Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140.

Impact The Kings are holding Clifford out for the second part of this back-to-back set. His next chance to suit up comes Friday against the Hornets.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nique Clifford Quietly Showing All-Around Skillset Next to Acuff Nique Clifford has had a quiet Summer League, but is showing he can do a little bit of everything next to Darius Acuff Jr. for the Sacrament...

JULY 12 • SI.COM

Solid effort in win Clifford supplied 13 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 26 minutes during Thursday's 91-85 Summer League win over the Clipper...

Impact Sacramento's first-round pick flashed the polished two-way game that made him one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. With DeMar DeRozan moving on, Clifford has a much bigger path to minutes on the wings.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Monday Clifford (undisclosed) will play in Monday's California Classic Summer League game against the Bucks, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

Impact Clifford sat out of Sunday's Summer League game for rest purposes, but he will be available Monday. Clifford contributed nine points, four rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes in his previous Summer League outing.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive versus Warriors Blue Clifford (undisclosed) won't play in Sunday's California Classic Summer League game against Warriors Blue, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Despite finishing with only nine points, Clifford hit a late shot from deep lead the Kings to the 79-76 win over the Nets on Saturday. It's unknown if he's dealing with an injury, though it's reasonable to assume he will sit this game out to rest. Clifford's next opportunity to suit up will come Monday night against Milwaukee.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Sinks game-winning shot Saturday Clifford finished with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds and three assists across 29 minutes in Saturday's 79-76 California Classic Summer League win over Brooklyn.

Impact Clifford didn't shoot well Saturday, though he managed to hit the game-winning three-point shot in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Kings. The 24-year-old is coming off a quality rookie campaign, averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 28 regular-season starts. Clifford may not get as many opportunities to start in 2026-27, barring injuries. However, he should at least receive consistent playing time.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

2026 California Classic Summer League: Kings beat Nets on late 3 Nique Clifford nails a 3 in the final seconds to lead the Kings to a 79-76 win over the Nets in California Classic action.

JULY 5 • NBA.COM

Clifford Highlights Acuff's Passing Before Summer League Debut Sacramento Kings' second-year wing Nique Clifford had nothing but praise for his new teammate, Darius Acuff Jr.

JULY 3 • SI.COM

May have new surroundings next year Clifford could have more competition for playing time in the backcourt after the Kings took Darius Acuff in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Impact Sacramento embraced a youth movement down the stretch of 2025-26, giving Clifford an opportunity to function essentially as a full-time starter following the All-Star break. Acuff projects as the Kings' top point guard for 2026-27, though Clifford's fantasy outlook is still fairly murky. There's a decent possibility that all three of DeMar DeRozan (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (toe) and Precious Achiuwa are playing elsewhere, so Clifford could either be battling to start or for a reserve role during training camp.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

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