Kings trade Nique Clifford amid Doug Christie's veteran focus

The Kings traded Nique Clifford on November 11, 2026, following coach Doug Christie's decision to prioritize veterans like Zach LaVine and Malik Monk over him. Clifford had played only 50 minutes across eight games this season and struggled for substantial playing time, impacting his trade value. As the team approaches the February 11 trade deadline, there is internal concern that a continued lack of playing time could further diminish Clifford's marketability. This decision reflects broader challenges for Christie, who is in the final guaranteed year of his contract.

• 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Doug Christie's decision to prioritize veterans over Nique Clifford played key role in Kings trading him