The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is underway, and it’s been packed with action and numerous transactions.
As expected, the Dallas Mavericks kicked things off by taking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by the San Antonio Spurs selecting Dylan Harper at No. 2.
Although the top 10 picks remained relatively quiet on the trade front, the draft saw a flurry of deals afterward — including another trade involving the 24th overall pick, which was originally held by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder have dealt the 24th overall pick to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings came into the night without a first-round selection, having previously traded their original pick to the Atlanta Hawks in an earlier deal.
Still, reports indicated that the Kings were actively trying to move into the first round — and they successfully did so by striking a deal with the Thunder. With the 24th overall pick, Sacramento chose Colorado State guard Nique Clifford, aiming to strengthen their backcourt depth.
During his senior year with the Rams, the 23-year-old posted impressive numbers, averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.32 steals per game. He also shot efficiently, hitting 49.6% of his shots from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Clifford boasts excellent size for his position, which contributes to his strong rebounding ability. He also showed noticeable growth as a playmaker in his final season at Colorado State.
Clifford is also a talented scorer who is expected to make an immediate impact in Sacramento, particularly given the team’s current lack of depth in the backcourt.
Naturally, the Kings may continue to be active this offseason, with DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Devin Carter all mentioned in trade rumors. Given that uncertainty, the team saw Clifford as an ideal fit to bolster their roster heading into the upcoming season.