Things are bleak in the present for the Sacramento Kings, but this year’s rookie class may provide a glimmer of hope for the future.
NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share her thoughts on Kings rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell, as all three players are currently in head coach Doug Christie’s rotation as Sacramento navigates a laundry list of injuries.
The Kings (8-29) are off to one of their worst starts to a regular season in franchise history, all while the likes of franchise staples Domantas Sabonis (knee), Keegan Murray (wrist/ankle), and Zach LaVine (ankle) have missed extended periods.
The loss of those key contributors has hurt Sacramento in the win-loss column, but this year was always going to be about a new direction as the Kings move away from the ‘Beam Team’ era and into the unknown.
Nique Clifford, the 24th pick from last summer’s NBA Draft, and Maxime Raynaud, the 42nd pick, have been inserted into the rotation earlier than many anticipated entering the season.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 22: Nique Clifford #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 22, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Raynaud has been Sacramento’s starting center for the past 15 games, and he’s excelled in that role, averaging 13.3 points and nine rebounds per game on 57 percent shooting from the field.
Clifford is still finding his footing at the NBA level, which can be challenging as a wing–the league’s most-demanding position–but the potential is there for the 23-year-old.
As for Cardwell, an undrafted center out of Auburn, the 6’10 big man has become a fan-favorite due to his rebounding, shot-blocking, and personality on the floor.
Christensen told Carmichael Dave and Jason Ross that she has been impressed by the trio of Sacramento Kings rookies, both by how they carry themselves off the floor and the work that they put in behind the scenes.
“When you look at it with the young guys, you just hope — and from knowing them all — they’re delightful. This is a really good group of young players in terms of their engagement with each other,” Christensen said of the Kings’ rookies. “When I speak to them, the way they interact with all of us and how they carry themselves, I’m wildly impressed by these three rookies.
“That’s such a great foundation for them to have in their first year because it sets the tone moving forward. We all know your physical play on the floor isn’t the only thing that makes you a good professional — there are multiple components to it. And my goodness, they all have it. I’m really impressed by this group of rookies.”
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sacramento Kings broadcaster for NBC Sports’ Kayte Christensen at the top of this page, or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel.
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
Click here for full episodes of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross.
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The 2025-26 Sacramento Kings are expected to be highly active leading up to the February 5th trade deadline. Veteran players such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Dennis Schroder are expected to be available, but some wonder whether the Kings could also pursue talent in the process.
With the Atlanta Hawks shopping point guard Trae Young, who has performed better on the sidelines this season, is he someone Kings general manager Scott Perry should explore bringing to California’s capital?
Sacramento play-by-play broadcaster Kyle Draper joined The Drive Guys to discuss the idea.
Does Trae Young fit the Kings timeline?
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will travel down I-80 East on Friday night for a matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
Sacramento defeated the Warriors by a final score of 121-116 on November 5th at Golden 1 Center, a game that did not feature Curry, Draymond Green, or Jimmy Butler due to injury.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown San Francisco.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Friday, January 9th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 11th – vs. Houston Rockets – 6:00 PM PT
Monday, January 12th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, January 16th – vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PT
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