Nique Clifford: Five Fast Facts About Newest Member of Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued the game of musical chairs with their 15th and final roster spot on Sunday afternoon.

In OKC's defense, it's become an important position due to the multitude of injuries that the Thunder are dealing with this season. Oklahoma City needs to fill that spot with a player who can give the team some real minutes, so the organization will do everything they can to be sure to get it right. Given the nature of the latest transaction, it seems like OKC has finally found their 15th man.

OKC traded for guard/forward Nique Clifford from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the Utah Jazz's 2028 second round draft pick and the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2030 second round draft pick. To make room for Clifford, the Thunder waived Dalen Terry.

Here's a crash course in Clifford for any Thunder fans looking to do their homework on the former King but only want to read the Cliff's Notes. (See what I did there?)

Nique Clifford: Five Fast Facts

5. He is the 4th player on the Thunder roster from the 2025 NBA Draft. Clifford (#24 overall) joins Thomas Sorber (#15 overall), Micah Peavy (#40 overall) and Brooks Barnhizer (#44 overall) as OKC players from the same draft class. 

4. He was an older rookie due to being a super senior. The former Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year in high school played three years at Colorado and two years at Colorado State. As a result, Clifford was 23 years old to tip off his rookie season. Despite being drafted three years later, he is actually a few months older than new teammate Chet Holmgren.

3. He wore #5 with the Kings his rookie season... which would have been complicated in OKC. Look, I'm not saying that Lu Dort's jersey should or will be retired by the Thunder. But it may have been one of those "too soon" situations with the beloved longtime fan favorite having just been traded away a few months ago. The speculation is all for naught, though, as Clifford switched to the #10 he wore at Colorado State ahead of this season. DeMar DeRozan wore that number Clifford's rookie season before signing with the Denver Nuggets.

2. He had a 30 point game his rookie season. Clifford scored his career high 30 points on February 9th against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while hitting 5 of 9 shots from 3 point range in his best game to date. In addition, the former King scored 20+ points four more times after the All Star Break.

1. He was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sure, his draft rights were immediately acquired by the Kings in exchange for a Top 16 protected 2027 1st Rounder via the San Antonio Spurs. But if you search "Nique Clifford draft", you'll see the him alongside Adam Silver with a huge OKC emblem in the background.