The Sacramento Kings are one of the NBA’s worst teams, which opens the door for some of the younger players on the roster to get a longer look on the hardwood.
NBC Sports California analyst Kayte Christensen joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share her thoughts on the Kings’ struggles, highlight the play of rookie center Maxime Raynaud, who has started in place of the injured Domantas Sabonis, and much more.
Raynaud, the 42nd overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, has done a solid job of filling in for the injured Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Drew Eubanks (thumb), logging starts in Sacramento’s past four games.
Over those four starts, the Stanford product has averaged 12.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field over 27.8 minutes per contest.
“He’s going to continue to get better the more time he plays,” Christensen said of the 7’1 rookie Raynaud. “He’s been really, really solid, and he’s only going to get better.”
Raynaud has scored 10+ points and grabbed 6+ rebounds in four games this season, with three of those contests taking place in his four starts. Those four total occurrences are the eighth-most among NBA rookies this season, an impressive feat when you take into account that the seven other players were selected within the first 34 picks.
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.
Topics Discussed
What is the current mood around the team as Sacramento continues to struggle?
Kayte says the Kings are “hard to evaluate” as they search for an identity.
How hard is it to be a professional when you play for a team like Sacramento that is in the process of turning over the roster?
“I have to believe that all of these guys understand that this is a business.”
What does Kayte think of the job that Sacramento Kings rookie center Maxime Raynaud has done while Domantas Sabonis has been sidelined?
Thoughts on how rookie wing Nique Clifford has handled his early growing pains
Sacramento will play 15 of its next 19 games at home, with all games taking place on the West Coast.
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.
More Sacramento Kings coverage from Sactown Sports
Injuries continue to limit the Sacramento Kings’ availability throughout their 2025-26 season. Domantas Sabonis remains sidelined, and right as Dennis Schroder returned to action, starting shooting guard Zach LaVine went down.
After getting off to a hot start Sunday afternoon in Minnesota, Sacramento’s leading scorer drove to the basket hard before rolling his left ankle. Attempting to play through the second quarter setback, LaVine tried to play through it before it was determined to be unideal to do so.
During the Sacramento Kings’ Tuesday morning practice, a team source shared that LaVine had been diagnosed with a “moderate left ankle sprain” and would be re-evaluated in one week. Sacramento has four games within the week of this announcement.
Kings will be without Zach Lavine for at least one week
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, December 18th – @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 20th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, December 21st – vs. Houston Rockets – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, December 23rd vs. Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 27th – vs. Dallas Mavericks – 2:00 PM PT
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