The Sacramento Kings trio of rookies, the first selected by general manager Scott Perry since he took over last offseason, has been probably the brightest spot in an otherwise bleak 2025-26 season. Of them, second-round selection Maxime Raynaud seems like the one who has the best chance of being named to the All-Rookie team thanks to his impressive counting numbers.
In 25.4 minutes per game over 62 appearances, the 42nd overall pick from 2025 has averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 56.6 percent from the field. Among rookies, that ranks the big man 9th in points and 5th in rebounds per night.
The only other first-year players who have managed at least 10 points and six rebounds per night are Derik Queen, Cedric Coward, and Cooper Flagg. That’s three lottery picks, including the first overall pick in Flagg, that Sacramento’s second-round selection is rubbing shoulders with.
It’s worth noting that Raynaud could’ve been a late first-round pick, but instead wanted to go in the second round specifically to land with the Kings.
His numbers are even more impressive, narrowed down to the last couple of months, where he’s been playing notably more minutes as injuries piled up for the Kings’ other bigs while they’ve simultaneously placed a larger emphasis on developing their young talent.
In the last 20 games, Raynaud has played 30.8 minutes per night and is averaging 15.4 points and 9.3 rebounds while converting 60.4 percent from the field. His season-best statistical night came Tuesday night against Victor Wembanyama, whom Raynaud is close friends with as they grew up in France together, with 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block on 13/25 shooting.
“I think you’re always motivated to play against one of the best in the NBA,” Raynaud said after the game. “So you want to bring your, your A game for that. And then obviously, personally, when you play against one of your friends, you always want to trash talk a little bit and give it an extra effort.”
Unfortunately, as he has been more commonplace than they would like this season, it was a blowout loss for the Kings, who fell behind San Antonio early and never recovered.
“It kind of went my way today individually,” Raynaud continued. “But clearly, have to find ways to impact the game a little bit more and help the team come out with a win or at least a close score.”
While Sacramento’s is far from postseason eligible, having an All-Rookie player could at least provide one feather in their cap. Ten players make the cut, and the top players, Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe, are locks for the first team. After that, Raynaud is in a pool with Dylan Harper, Cedric Coward, Ace Bailey, Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Javon Small, and others. He and Small are the only second-rounders mentioned in the NBA’s latest rookie ladder.
“Man, Max can play,” fellow rookie Nique Clifford said after Tuesday’s showing. “He got touch, he got a high Q, and he’s able to find his spots within the offense that we run, and he puts the ball in the basket.”
There’s a vast history of players putting up impressive counting stats on bad teams in their first season, only to come crashing back down to earth in the following seasons. So, while Raynaud’s performances have been impressive — and should at least earn him a spot on the All-Rookie second team, if not first-team — there’s still plenty of growth and development for him to prove he consistently belongs in an NBA rotation.
Future Hall of Fame point guard Russell Westbrook has seemingly been essential in guiding Raynaud along, especially in the pick-and-roll, showing why he’s valuable even if they’ve struggled as a unit this season.
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a three-game homestand on Thursday night when they face the Philadelphia 76ers. at Golden 1 Center.
Philadelphia claimed the lone regular-season matchup between these two teams on January 29th, winning by a final of 113-111 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Philadelphia 76ers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, March 19th vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 24th – @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 26th – @ Orlando Magic – 4:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 28th – @ Brooklyn Nets – 4:00 PM PT
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