The The necklaces trade Nick Clifford yes Thunder for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN’s Shamsu Charanya (Twitter references).
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the second-rounders to go to the Kings would be Utah in 2028 and Minnesota in 2030 (Link to Twitter). Both picks were controlled by the Thunder from previous trades.
Charanya heard that Sacramento has been working with Clifford to find a new home for the second-year wing, who has been out of the team’s rotation this season. Clifford was selected 24th overall in last year’s draft.
In order to add Clifford, the Thunder will need to clear a roster spot. The easiest thing to do is to give up on a player Dalen Terrywho recently signed a non-guaranteed two-year contract with Oklahoma City, notes Rylan Stiles of SI.com (via Twitter).
Technically, Clifford was drafted by the Thunder in 2025. “Kings”. acquired its rights by sending the Spurs’ 2027 first-round pick to Oklahoma City — a top-16 pick that’s likely to be dealt to the Thunder. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks points out (Link to Twitter), which means the Thunder will essentially be left with Clifford and the Spurs a pair of second-round picks, even though the two deals were obviously more than a year apart.
Oklahoma City will use one of the three traded player waivers he created this offseason to acquire Clifford, who earns $3.26 million this season and $3.42 million in 2027/28. The Thunder will have until Nov. 1, 2027, to decide if they want to exercise their $5.98 million option on Clifford at 28/29.
As the Thunder have created the TPE they will use to challenge Clifford in the 2026/27 Championship year, they will not have the heavy cap on the second tax apron, Marks tweets. OKC had up to 21 future second-round picks to include in the deal, Marks adds.
This is reported by ESPN More than a week ago, Clifford could be a trade target for the Thunder. At the time, it was said that the Kings were reluctant to part with the 6’5″ guard/forward, but it’s clear that the Thunder justified the asking price.
Still to come…