While this season hasn’t given Sacramento Kings fans much to celebrate, rookie center Maxime Raynaud has provided a significant bright spot.
Raynaud, the 42nd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Stanford, entered the season as Sacramento’s third-string center behind Domantas Sabonis and Drew Eubanks.
Following several injuries to Sabonis, Eubanks, and fellow rookie center Dylan Cardwell, Raynaud firmly planted himself into the starting center spot back in December, and he has never looked back.
Mad MAX 🤌 pic.twitter.com/WAdFc5dVQJ
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 9, 2026
More on Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud
Since being inserted into the starting lineup on December 6th, Maxime Raynaud has averaged 12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game on 58 percent shooting from the field over 28.7 minutes per contest (39 games).
Not only has the rookie big man played like a veteran, every-day NBA center during this timespan, but he’s also placed himself among the top-five picks from his own draft class.
Raynaud’s 26-point, 11-rebound performance against Chicago on Sunday night was his fourth 20-10 game of the season–the second-most of all 2025 NBA Draft picks this season, only trailing top overall pick Cooper Flagg (five).
The French native’s four such games also put him ahead of standout Charlotte Hornets rookie forward and fourth pick Kon Knueppel (three games).
Not only does Raynaud’s 20-10 stat have some relevance within the context of his fellow 2025 draft mates, but the 42nd pick is also climbing the Sacramento Kings’ franchise rookie leaderboard.
Raynaud has the fifth-most 20-10 games by a rookie in franchise history, passing former Rookie of the Year award winner Tyreke Evans on Sunday night:
Most 20-point, 10-rebound games by a Kings rookie in the Sacramento era (1985-present):
Lionel Simmons 16
Brian Grant 9
Marvin Bagley III 8
DeMarcus Cousins 7
Maxime Raynaud 4
Tyreke Evans 3 pic.twitter.com/3FkNlpexGR
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 9, 2026
Maxime Raynaud is now averaging 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds (leads all rookies with min. 30 games played), and 1.2 assists per game on 56 percent shooting from the field this season over 57 games.
Only three rookies in Kings franchise history have posted those numbers or better during their rookie season: Jerry Lucas (1963-64), Brian Grant (1994-95), Marvin Bagley III (2018-19).
With just 17 games remaining on the regular season schedule, Raynaud looks primed to etch his name onto that list as he aims to make a push for one of the league’s two NBA All-Rookie teams.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a five-game homestand on Tuesday night when they face the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento lost to the Pacers by a final of 116-105 in Indiana back on December 8th.
Both teams will enter play on Tuesday with the bottom-two records in the NBA, giving each team a 14% chance of securing the top pick in May’s NBA Draft Lottery (52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick).
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Indiana Pacers 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
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
Sunday, March 15th vs. Utah Jazz – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 17th vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
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