What should Sacramento Kings fans take away from Summer League showing?
There were a few key storylines as the Sacramento Kings headed to Las Vegas for Summer League.
All eyes were on rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud just days after the Kings selected them in June’s NBA draft. Another focal point was 2024 lottery pick Devin Carter, who has been linked to Jonathan Kuminga trade talks with the Golden State Warriors.
Clifford, Raynaud and Carter all made their mark as the Kings advanced to the championship game under Summer League coach Dipesh Mistry, but they weren’t the only ones. Isaac Jones, an athletic young big man who went undrafted out of Washington State, also made a big impression.
The Kings are looking for players who can help them find a way forward under new general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie. Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament for the second year in a row last season after going 40-42 to finish ninth in the Western Conference.
Here are a few key takeaways from the team’s time in Las Vegas.
Nique Clifford is NBA ready
Clifford, 23, looks like he could contribute right away if the Kings can carve out a role for him.
Clifford came out of Colorado State as the 24th overall pick in June’s draft. The Kings, who had Clifford projected significantly higher along with most draft analysts, acquired his draft rights in a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard was a First Team All-Summer League selection after averaging 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals. He shot 49.3% from the field and 45.8% from 3-point range, looking cool and composed with an ability to pass, shoot and handle the ball.
The Kings believe Clifford is versatile enough to play point guard, shooting guard or small forward. That might be necessary for him to find minutes in a crowded backcourt that features Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis and Devin Carter with DeMar DeRozan getting a majority of the minutes at small forward.
Bigger role for Isaac Jones
Jones, 25, might be ready for a bigger role as a 6-9, 245-pound forward/center who could fill a huge need for Sacramento if he continues to develop.
Jones was a Second Team All-Summer League selection after averaging 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.7 blocks in Las Vegas. He shot 64.6% from the field while showing the ability to hit an occasional 3-pointer.
Jones signed a two-way contract with the Kings last summer before being converted to a standard NBA contract in March. He appeared in 40 games for Sacramento, averaging 3.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game.
If the Kings are unable to acquire Kuminga or another rotational power forward, Jones could have a real opportunity to establish a key role in Sacramento.
Is Devin Carter ready?
Carter received mixed reviews following his first Summer League appearance.
Shoulder surgery forced Carter to miss the start of his rookie season after coming out of Providence as the No. 13 pick in the 2024 draft. He recovered in time to play 36 games, averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals in 11.0 minutes per game.
Carter could play a key role for the Kings if he establishes himself as a reliable backup at the point guard spot, but that question remains unanswered. He averaged 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals during Summer League while shooting 40.5% from the field and 28.9% from 3-point range.
More Max
Kings fans will be eager to see more of Raynaud following his Summer League debut.
Sacramento selected the 7-1, 250-pound center out of Stanford with the 42nd overall pick in June’s draft. Raynaud averaged 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 49.1% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in Las Vegas.
Raynaud will go into training camp with a chance to establish a role as the primary backup to three-time All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis.
