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<\/p>\nThings are bleak in the present for the Sacramento Kings, but this year\u2019s rookie class may provide a glimmer of hope for the future.<\/p>\n
NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen joined\u00a0The 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\u2019s rotation as Sacramento navigates a laundry list of injuries.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018Beam Team\u2019 era and into the unknown.<\/p>\n
Nique Clifford, the 24th pick from last summer\u2019s NBA Draft, and Maxime Raynaud, the 42nd pick, have been inserted into the rotation earlier than many anticipated entering the season.<\/p>\n
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(Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Raynaud has been Sacramento\u2019s starting center for the past 15 games, and he\u2019s excelled in that role, averaging 13.3 points and nine rebounds per game on 57 percent shooting from the field.<\/p>\n
Clifford is still finding his footing at the NBA level, which can be challenging as a wing\u2013the league\u2019s most-demanding position\u2013but the potential is there for the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n
As for Cardwell, an undrafted center out of Auburn, the 6\u201910 big man has become a fan-favorite due to his rebounding, shot-blocking, and personality on the floor.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at it with the young guys, you just hope \u2014 and from knowing them all \u2014 they\u2019re delightful. This is a really good group of young players in terms of their engagement with each other,\u201d Christensen said of the Kings\u2019 rookies. \u201cWhen I speak to them, the way they interact with all of us and how they carry themselves, I\u2019m wildly impressed by these three rookies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s 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\u2019t the only thing that makes you a good professional \u2014 there are multiple components to it. And my goodness, they all have it. I\u2019m really impressed by this group of rookies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sacramento Kings broadcaster for NBC Sports\u2019 Kayte Christensen at the top of this page, or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n Click here for full episodes of\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show\u00a0with Jason Ross<\/a>.<\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s capital?<\/p>\n Sacramento play-by-play broadcaster Kyle Draper joined The Drive Guys to discuss the idea.<\/p>\n Does Trae Young fit the Kings timeline?<\/a><\/p>\n When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown San Francisco.<\/p>\n Friday, January 9th\u00a0\u2013 @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767771430_773_hqdefault.jpg\")
\nUpcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n
\nSunday, January 11th \u2013 vs. Houston Rockets \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nMonday, January 12th \u2013 vs. Los Angeles Lakers \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, January 14th \u2013 vs. New York Knicks \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, January 16th \u2013 vs. Washington Wizards \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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