Development and repetitions for their young players is the name of the game for the remainder of the Sacramento Kings (14-49) 2025-26 NBA season. While they don’t have an extensive list of youth on the roster, rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and (when healthy) Dylan Cardwell have turned some heads.
Kings and national NBA play-by-play broadcaster Mark Jones joined The Drive Guys to break down what he’s seen from those players, how much head coach Doug Christie has positively impacted them, and plenty more.
“I think (Kings’ fans) should be thrilled,” Jones said when asked about Sacramento’s trio of rookies. “Because when you look at Reynaud being amongst leaders, among rookies in double-doubles and his improvement, Nique Clifford’s improvement, Cardwell was legit before he turned his ankle in practice.”
Jones also made sure to mention former fourth-overall pick Keegan Murray, who has dealt with a slew of injuries this season, as a bright spot when projecting their longterm future. Precious Achiuwa, albeit on an expiring one-year contract, was also mentioned in the conversation. He’s what most would consider a young “up-and-comer” at 26, but potentially has yet to reach his peak.
A key part of allowing those players to go beyond simply getting playing time. It’s also about making sure they are put in positions to succeed and being properly coached both during games, practices, and their off-the-court habits/routines.
That’s where Coach Christie comes into play. The Drive Guys asked Jones his thoughts on whether the former Kings’ player, turned first-year head coach, deserves credit for the growth of those players.
“I think Doug has done a very admirable job,” the broadcaster responded. “And the part that I don’t think people are going to understand or necessarily see, is something that JJ Redick told me last year in his inaugural season with the Lakers.”
“I asked him, I’d done a national broadcast with ESPN, and said, ‘JJ, what’s the hardest part of the job for you year one?’ And he gave me this real exhausted look, ‘It’s not even about the basketball component. It’s the human component, the conversations that I’ve got to have with guys, about minutes, about rotations, and about managing the game, and being able to, you know, go to the end of the bench during the game and talk some guy off the ledge before he starts. MF-ing, me to the rest of the team.’ You know what I mean? So those are the things that, I’m not going to speak for Doug, but I can imagine he’s dealing with the human part of it as well. So all things considered, I think he’s done a very admirable job this year. Very admirable. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next season.”
Deciding whether or not to bring Christie back next season has been a hot topic among Kings’ fans and analysts alike, but there’s only so much people not part of the team get to witness.
Check out the full conversation by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a five-game homestand on Thursday night when they face the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento dropped an ugly 120-94 contest on February 9th in New Orleans, a game in which the Pelicans shot 54 percent from the field.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, March 5th vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 8th vs. Chicago Bulls – 6:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 10th vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PT
Wednesday, March 11th vs. Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 14th @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PT
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