Sacramento Kings rookie center Maxime Raynaud has turned some heads over the past couple of weeks due to his impressive play, but it’s nothing new to DeMar DeRozan.
Following Sacramento’s win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon–one that saw Raynaud score 22 points and collect 10 rebounds–DeRozan spoke highly of the talented first-year center while also sharing what it’s been like to watch this trio of first-year players develop.
DeRozan, a 16-year veteran who is putting the finishing touches on his second season in a Kings jersey, says he has enjoyed being a leader and teacher for Raynaud, as well as fellow rookies Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell.
“It’s big, man. It’s been fun,” DeRozan said. “A group of young guys, just teaching them, showing them, watching them grow. It’s fun.”
Along with future Hall of Fame guard Russell Westbrook–a frequent collaborator with Raynaud in the pick-and-roll game–DeRozan says the two veterans have tried to make the most of a disappointing season for the franchise by passing along knowledge, tips, and more to the next generation of players.
“From my part, from Russ, from other guys, we just try to give them as much as we can, knowledge-wise, and try to make the game as easy as possible for them,” DeRozan said.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings, Dylan Cardwell #32, and Nique Clifford #5 stand on the court after the game against the Washington Wizards at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
More on Maxime Raynaud
Drafted with the 42nd pick in last summer’s NBA Draft, Maxime Raynaud was widely viewed as a late first-round pick.
There were whispers that the Stanford center made it clear he wanted to go to Sacramento, causing some teams to pass on the 7’1 talent–and if so, it looks like the Kings may have picked the steal of the draft.
With All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis sidelined for the majority of this season due to a knee injury, Raynaud has played the bulk of his minutes in the starting center spot.
Over 64 games (46 starts), Raynaud has averaged 11.9 points (eighth among NBA rookies) and 7.3 rebounds (first among 2025 Draft picks), and shot 56 percent from the field while leading all first-year players in double-doubles with 16.
Raynaud’s recent play has really put the rest of the league on notice, with the French native scoring 30-plus points in back-to-back games, becoming the first Sacramento Kings rookie to do so in over 30 years.
Mr. Raynaud is putting in work 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dTxb8ntfMr
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 22, 2026
It’s been a big month of March for Raynaud, who is averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 63 percent shooting from the field over 11 games.
This red-hot play has caught the attention of many around the league, as Raynaud was moved up to fourth on the NBA’s Rookie Ladder, only trailing Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, and VJ Edgecombe–all top-five picks from the 2025 NBA Draft.
While Maxime Raynaud was left out of February’s Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend, DeRozan shared his hopes that his center will receive an even higher honor:
Being named to one of the NBA’s two All-Rookie Teams at the end of the season.
“I’m still frustrated that Max didn’t make the Rookie-Sophomore game. But don’t tell him,” DeRozan said with a smile on Sunday. “From my standpoint, I want him to make that All-Rookie team.”
Maxime Raynaud has ten more games to make his case for an All-Rookie team, and if he continues so pour in 20-plus a game like he has over the past week, it may be hard for awards voters to keep him off of those squads.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Maxime Raynaud and the Sacramento Kings will embark on their final road trip of the season with a five-game East Coast swing that begins on Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte.
Sacramento dropped a 117-109 contest to Charlotte at Golden 1 Center on March 11th as the Hornets used a 30-point effort from LaMelo Ball to hold off the Kings.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 4:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
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
Sunday, March 29th @ Brooklyn Nets – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, April 1st @ Toronto Raptors – 5:00 PM PT
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