New Deep Dives episode with Paige Otto for @noceilingsnba.bsky.social today! We covered a fascinating freshman guard on the rise in Brayden Burries, and a prospect who has confounded me for nearly half a decade at this point in Dillon Mitchell: open.spotify.com/episode/2Let...

Still in shock over this…thanks so much to our incredible team and our incredible fans for making this possible!

Kings Weekly Podcast: Western Conference Preview: www.basketballintelligence.net/p/western-co... #NBA #NBAWesternConference #NBASeasonPreview @kingsweeklypodcast.bsky.social @basketballpoetry.com

🚨ALSO up on YOUTUBE🚨 Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford showcased his two-way versatility at Summer League and looks to be an exciting piece for Kings fans moving forward. 📺 youtu.be/j_hxA0keQrY?...

Kings improve to 2-0 in Las Vegas with a 109-92 win over the Bulls. Devin Carter stuffed the stat sheet with 30/8/3/3, Nique Clifford had 19/12/4, Maxime Raynaud had another impressive showing, and the defense was excellent outside of a 38-point Chicago blitz in Q2.

Kings still up over Chicago at halftime, 56-52, but this second quarter was a different story from the first five quarters of Summer League for Sacramento. The defense was not there, especially on the glass; Noa Essengue and Lachlan Olbrich mauled the frontcourt for the Kings in Q2.

Kings up big, 32-14, at the end of Q1. Devin Carter has been night-and-day compared to the first game; he has 13 points on 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from deep, along with a couple of steals. Isaiah Stevens came in and hit a couple of threes, and the team defense was awesome once again.

Quick start for Devin Carter, who is letting it fly early from the perimeter and is active on the defensive end. 8 PTS | 2 REB | 2 STL | 3/3 FG | 2/2 3PT | 4 MIN

Yeah, this is a different Devin Carter today--eight quick points already from him

Here in Cox Pavilion for the second game of Summer League for the Sacramento Kings! Excited to see Raynaud and Clifford show out again; hopefully a bounce-back game for Devin Carter as well.

As everyone anticipated, the loudest moments in Thomas and Mack during the Flagg/Harper game have all been Carter Bryant defensive possessions...he's been sensational

The moment we’ve all been waiting for…

Just got to Vegas? Catching up with all the prospect hype? We've got you covered. For NC+ subscribers, our in-person breakdown of all the action in Vegas so far: www.noceilingsnba.com/p/nba-summer...

Day Three of Summer League! Mavericks/Spurs on deck; can't wait to see the Flagg/Harper showdown.

I guess Kasparas just isn't a fan of Chase Center--he has 14, 2, and 2 in the first nine minutes of Heat/Hawks. He started a bit slow but has looked fantastic since. Kobe Bufkin has also been impressive here in Thomas and Mack.

Strong start for Kasparas Jakucionis; he looked a bit slow/tentative in the first couple of minutes, but he's starting to look locked in after a nice spin move and finish over Asa Newell followed by a triple.

Over to Thomas and Mack for Heat/Hawks; Hugo had a strong start in the last game, but had to head over to see what's up with Kasparas Jakucionis

Day Two of Summer League! Grizzlies/Celtics to start, hopefully with a healthy dose of Sacramento’s own Jaylen Wells.

Sure, Cooper Flagg might be in the other gym, but I'm not missing my chance to catch DaRon Holmes II's triumphant return to the court.

Kings win their Summer League opener against Orlando, 84-81. Maxime Raynaud had a sensational first half, Nique Clifford and Isaac Jones had great second half performances, Mason Jones was chaos incarnate (in a good way), and the team defense was outstanding all game.

"Light the Beam" chants breaking out in Cox Pavilion; God, I love Kings fans

Kings up 59-54 over the Magic after 3. The offense has disappeared with Raynaud having a more muted second half, but the defense has kept them in it. Nique Clifford got to the line and hit a triple to start his Summer League scoring in Q3, but the scoring overall was a struggle.

Who had "Skal Labissiere" for most vicious dunk on Day One of Summer League? Still feels weird seeing him in a non-Kings uniform

Hoping we'll get to see some Isaac Nogues minutes for the Kings in Q4--with his defensive chops, he'll fit right in with what the Kings have been doing so far in this one.

Really great to see Nique drill that contested 3; hopefully that can get him going offensively (though his defense has more than made up for it)

Kings lead the Magic 42-33 at halftime--the offense has been up and down, but the defense has been fantastic across the board. Maxime Raynaud was amazing and was certainly the main story, but Devin Carter also showed some encouraging signs with the ball in his hands in the second quarter

I can't recall anyone enjoying communicating on defense at Summer League more than Maxime Raynaud appears to...between him and Dylan Cardwell down low and the guard defense, it's almost surprising that Orlando has 27

End of Q1 here in Kings-Magic; Maxime Raynaud has been sensational on both ends. Nique Clifford and Devin Carter have shown some defensive flashes, and the team as a whole has been MUCH more locked in defensively than you expect to see in Summer League.

Aaaaaannd it didn't even take a full game Raynaud with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and a steal on 4/4 from the field 4:28 minutes into the game

Maxime Raynaud: Jonas Valanciunas who?

Six quick points for Raynaud; he's looked awesome early

Nique Clifford with a great defensive possession on Da Silva on one end and then a great pass to Mason Jones on the other. Too early to get excited? Of course. Not stopping me, though

Kings starters vs. Orlando: Mason Jones Devin Carter Nique Clifford Isaac Jones Maxime Raynaud

Almost time for YOURRR SACRAMENTOOOOOOOOO KINGS!!!

We (@rayrayl.bsky.social and @nbajohnson.bsky.social) are here and about 20 feet from Maxime Raynaud! Almost game time.

Two things about Ben Saraf: 1. Much bigger than you think 2. Beautiful move to the basket for his first bucket

Nolan Traore with an acrobatic layup for Brooklyn's first points of Summer League--so far, my agenda is thriving

Game One of Summer League is in the books. I've said plenty about Joan Beringer, so some other highlights: --Terrence Shannon Jr. was fantastic, especially with the ball in his hands --Lester Quinones showed how much damage he can do when he gets hot --Derik Queen really turned it on after halftime

Every once in a while, you see someone at Summer League who is so much better athletically than everyone else, and they just dominate the game because of it. Once upon a time, Tari Eason set that standard in my eyes. Joan Beringer has been that guy today.

The Summer League warm-up act might have started already, but everyone knows that the main show starts at 4:30 in Cox Pavilion when the Kings take on the Magic. @rayrayl.bsky.social and @nbajohnson.bsky.social will be there in person for Nique Clifford, Devin Carter, Maxime Raynaud, and friends!

Halftime thoughts for Timberwolves/Pelicans --Joan Beringer. That's it; that's the message Other thoughts --Missi being aggressive offensively has been good to see, and that would have gone better without Beringer --Fears has had some moments --Derik Queen is a passing wizard

I have liked the drives and passes from Derik Queen.

End of Q1 of Summer League in Vegas; Joan Beringer was fantastic before a (hopefully minor) wrist injury. Lester Quinones and Rob Dillingham have had good moments running their teams, and Leonard Miller's energy level is at 110% as always

So, uh... the Joan Beringer experience is off to an incredibly fun start.

Four minutes into Game 1, and Joan Beringer has been the clear story so far--three highlight-reel blocks already and just shutting down the paint

Trying to keep my excitement to reasonable levels for the DaRon Holmes return; I will not succeed

Summer League Round Four in Vegas! Time to lock in.

The NBA Summer League starts today, featuring the debut of 2 Jewish players: Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf. @nbajohnson.bsky.social of @noceilingsnba.bsky.social explains what Jewish sports fans can expect from the Israeli Saraf on the latest episode of Menschwarmers. Hear more: thecjn.ca/menschwarmers

The 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and the Sacramento Kings have four new players to discuss! For today's episode, @nbajohnson.bsky.social and @rayrayl.bsky.social cover Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Isaac Nogues, and their fits with the Kings: open.spotify.com/episode/4hgJ...

Having NBA Draft withdrawals? Don’t worry; we’ve got you. Our way-too-early 2026 Mock Draft is now live: www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2026-nba-m...