Sacramento Kings Might Have Already Found Their Point Guard Solution

Do the Sacramento Kings already have their next franchise point guard?

Apr 4, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings have caught plenty of flak for trading away two star point guards, Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox, over the past few years, which has left them with a significant void at that position.

The Kings had high expectations heading into the 2025 offseason to find their next franchise point guard, but all they acquired was a band-aid. The Kings picked up veteran point guard Dennis Schröder, who could be a short-term solution, but they still need to figure out who will be leading the offense in the future.

During the 2025 NBA Draft, the Kings might have sneakily found their solution at point guard.

Is Nique Clifford the answer?

Oct 8, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Alijah Martin (55) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The Kings traded up in June's draft to take a chance on Nique Clifford out of Colorado State with the 24th overall pick. While Clifford came into the league as more of a combo guard, his playmaking has been on full display through the Summer League, training camp, and preseason.

In his preseason debut against the Toronto Raptors, Clifford impressed with ten points, nine assists, and two steals through 24 minutes off the bench, seemingly serving as Sacramento's backup point guard.

In his second game, Clifford showed the other side of his offensive game, leading the bench in scoring with 15 points through 26 minutes. Clifford has played more than any other Kings player through their first two preseason games, as the team is certainly trying to gauge how much the rookie can take on. Luckily, it seems to be working in their favor.

9 assists for Nique Clifford last night; this is a high level NBA combo guard & he should be the backup point for the Kings. pic.twitter.com/l1Y8cmWyZ3

— Pushin Stats (@PropSurfer) October 9, 2025

The 23-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard has a very wide-ranging skill set with and without the ball in his hands, and while he may not be the prototypical modern NBA point guard, he has proven that he can run an offense.

With score-first stars like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan being the top options in Sacramento's offense, alongside a ball-dominant big man in Domantas Sabonis, the Kings would be much better off having a point guard like Clifford in the lineup.

It likely will not take long for head coach Doug Christie and the coaching staff to realize Schröder is not the ideal fit in Sacramento's lineup, and could even turn to the rookie much sooner than many would expect. Clifford certainly needs some more time to develop into what the Kings want him to be, but he has shown plenty of promise since getting drafted.