Oklahoma Metropolis reacquired Nique Clifford from Sacramento for 2 future second-round picks, months after the Kings gave up a protected first-round choose to draft him. The Thunder add an inexpensive, controllable wing whereas accidents pressure their rotation.
Nique Clifford is again with the group that drafted him. Sam Presti, Oklahoma Metropolis’s govt vp and normal supervisor, introduced the deal on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Thunder despatched two future second-round picks to the Sacramento Kings for the 24-year-old guard/ahead. Sacramento introduced that neither choose carries any safety.
The worth is the story. On draft evening in 2025, Sacramento despatched Oklahoma Metropolis a top-16-protected 2027 San Antonio Spurs first-round choose to maneuver as much as No. 24 and take Clifford, in accordance with ESPN. That commerce was the primary transfer of Scott Perry’s tenure as Kings normal supervisor. Now Sacramento has moved Clifford again for 2 second-rounders.
Oklahoma Metropolis retains the Spurs choice. That choose is predicted to go to the Thunder subsequent yr, in accordance with ClutchPoints. In impact, the Kings parted with a protected first and recovered two seconds.
Accidents pushed Oklahoma Metropolis again into the market
The Thunder’s backcourt and rotation have been hit arduous by accidents. Jalen Williams had surgical procedure on Oct. 28 for a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle. The group will reevaluate him earlier than the common season ends.
Cason Wallace tore the labrum in his left shoulder in the identical recreation in opposition to the Clippers. His scheduled surgical procedure will preserve him out for a number of months. Even so, Oklahoma Metropolis was 8-2 on the time of the commerce. Sacramento had began the season 1-8.
Clifford offers the Thunder a low-cost wing underneath group management. Earlier than the commerce, he had performed 83 NBA video games with 28 begins. He averaged 7.9 factors, 3.5 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists in 23.3 minutes over that span.
His function in Sacramento had shrunk. He had just lately been out of coach Doug Christie’s rotation. Each the Kings and Clifford’s aspect seemed for a brand new group for him. The Lakers and Nuggets reportedly confirmed curiosity earlier than Oklahoma Metropolis accomplished the deal.
His faculty profile factors to a broader recreation. In his remaining season at Colorado State, Clifford averaged 18.9 factors, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 35.4 minutes per recreation.
Dalen Terry’s keep in Oklahoma Metropolis lasted two video games
The roster spot got here at Dalen Terry’s expense. The Thunder introduced on Nov. 4 that that they had signed him to a multi-year contract. Following group coverage, they didn’t disclose the phrases.
The 2-year deal was not assured. Terry appeared in two Thunder video games, each wins, in opposition to Memphis and Washington. The 18th total choose within the 2022 draft arrived with 218 profession video games for Chicago and Philadelphia.
Clifford’s contract offers the entrance workplace flexibility past this season. The subsequent resolution level is fastened. Oklahoma Metropolis should determine on his 2028-29 group possibility by Nov. 1, 2027.
