Kings' DeRozan Endorses Rookie Clifford as Future NBA Star

The Sacramento Kings are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with notable roster changes and cautious expectations. Veteran guard Russell Westbrook joined the team after opting out of a player option with the Denver Nuggets, with teammate DeMar DeRozan praising Westbrook's experience and leadership potential. DeRozan himself remains a key player but faces speculation about his future with the Kings, as the team may consider trading him depending on early season performance. Meanwhile, the Kings are placing high hopes on rookie guard Nique Clifford, a mature and skilled player praised by DeRozan as having star potential and readiness to contribute immediately despite being an older rookie. The team is also focusing on developing young talent like Keegan Murray while managing injury setbacks, such as All-Star center Domantas Sabonis being unavailable for the season opener. Overall, the Kings aim to blend veteran presence with emerging players to improve their playoff prospects after recent seasons of falling short in the play-in tournament.