2:47 pm: Thunder confirms the deal, noting a press release that Dalen Terry was released to open a spot for Clifford.
12:18 pm: Sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN that Sacramento ships Nique Clifford to Oklahoma City for a pair of second‑round choices.
According to Charania, the Kings collaborated with Clifford to land him elsewhere after he sat out of the rotation this year. The ex‑Colorado State guard went 24th overall in last year’s draft.
Oklahoma City must free a slot for Clifford, and the simplest move is cutting Dalen Terry, who just inked a non‑guaranteed two‑year pact, reports Rylan Stiles of SI.com.
Technically, the Thunder drafted Clifford in 2025. Sacramento secured his rights by trading Oklahoma City the Spurs’ 2027 first‑rounder, a top‑16 protected pick that should land in OKC next season.
Bobby Marks of ESPN notes that the Thunder will net Clifford and the Spurs’ pick in exchange for two second‑rounders, even though the transactions span more than a year.
OKC will tap one of its three offseason traded‑player exceptions to sign Clifford, whose salary is $3.26 million this year and $3.42 million in 2027‑28. The club must decide by Nov. 1, 2027 whether to trigger his $5.98 million option for ’28‑29.
Because the Thunder created the TPE for Clifford in the 2026‑27 season, they avoid a hard‑cap at the second tax apron, Marks tweets. He adds OKC could have bundled as many as 21 future second‑rounders.
In an Oct. 25 clash with the Clippers, the Thunder saw Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren sustain long‑term injuries, possibly ending seasons for the first two. Yet the squad sits 8‑2 and enjoys a four‑game surge.
Sacramento clears a roster slot and gains tax‑space by moving Clifford for nothing in return. Marks notes the Kings entered the trade with no future second‑round picks.
When the transaction finalizes, the Kings will carry 13 players on standard deals and have two 15‑man spots open, with a 14‑day window to fill one, Marks reports.
ESPN flagged Clifford as a potential Thunder target weeks earlier, noting Sacramento’s hesitance to move the 6‑foot‑5 guard/forward. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports the Lakers and Nuggets showed interest before the Kings sealed the deal with Oklahoma City.
He boosted his draft stock in 2024‑25 with a stellar “super senior” season for the Rams, posting 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 35.4 minutes over 36 starts, shooting .496/.377/.777. As a rookie, the 24‑year‑old logged 75 games (25.1 MPG) and averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals on .418/.333/.722.
Even after a full rotation role in 2025‑26, Clifford saw the floor for just 6.3 minutes across eight games this year. For my money, his talent is being wasted in Sacramento. Will Oklahoma City finally unlock his upside?