Nique Clifford trade: Thunder acquire wing from Kings in 2026-27 NBA trade
Oklahoma City sends two future second-round picks to Sacramento for Nique Clifford as the Thunder look to replace injured wing depth.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Nique Clifford from the Sacramento Kings for two future second-round picks. ESPN reported the trade grades and details of the deal.
Key takeaways
- Thunder acquire Nique Clifford from Kings for two future second-round picks
- Picks are 2028 second-round via Utah and 2030 second-round via Minnesota
- Clifford averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 25.1 minutes last season
- Clifford has played 1,932 NBA minutes so far
- Thunder entered weekend with 21 future second-round picks
The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired second-year wing Nique Clifford from the Sacramento Kings for two future second-round picks. ESPN reported the trade took place on Sunday as part of the 2026-27 NBA trade season.
The Kings receive the 2028 second-round pick via Utah and the 2030 second-round pick via Minnesota. ESPN said this is a less valuable package than a protected first-round pick. Sacramento used the No. 24 pick in the 2025 draft on Clifford after trading a future top-16-protected pick from the San Antonio Spurs to Oklahoma City on draft night. Less than 18 months later, Clifford is back with the Thunder.
Why it matters
1 minutes per game last season and posted the best on/off swing in Sacramento's rotation. 3 minutes per game. ESPN noted he is already 24 years old and appears to have a limited NBA ceiling.
The Thunder entered the weekend with 21 future second-round picks, far more than they could use, and cashed in two for an immediate upgrade on the wing where injuries have stressed their depth.
The Thunder are injury-ravaged and need bodies in the meantime. ESPN said Clifford should be useful on both ends in a regular-season capacity. Placing him in the Thunder's excellent development system might help him blow past any theoretical ceiling while offering inexpensive production for the next few years.
What happens next
With three months to go until the Feb. 11 NBA trade deadline, ESPN expects more deals as the season goes on. The writer is grading every trade and breaking down the ramifications for all teams and players involved.
By the numbers
8.6 points per game last season for Clifford
3.8 rebounds per game last season
2.4 assists per game last season
25.1 minutes per game last season
1.6 points per game this season
6.3 minutes per game this season
1,932 NBA minutes played so far
21 future second-round picks held by Thunder before trade
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