The Sacramento Kings still haven’t picked up their first preseason win, but Thursday’s four-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers came with a lot more to like. The offense had more pop, the effort looked sharper, and the front court did most of the heavy lifting.
Maxime Raynaud was right in the middle of it. The second-year big man put together a strong 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, giving Sacramento exactly the kind of steady production it can build on. Raynaud spent part of the offseason with the French National Team, where he worked behind Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert and helped France to multiple qualifying victories.
With Domantas Sabonis expected to return to full health, Raynaud will likely begin the season in a backup role again. Even so, the signs from him have been encouraging.
Precious Achiuwa was another bright spot after re-signing with Sacramento on a two-year deal. Last season, the former Memphis standout averaged a career-best 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Kings, easily outplaying the veteran minimum contract he was on. He found another gear after the All-Star Break, improving across nearly every category and bringing more on the defensive end as well.
Head coach Doug Christie has already made it clear how much he values what Achiuwa brings beyond the box score.
"He's so coachable. He's a pleasure as a coach because he's listening," Christie said.
He wants to win, he's about the team, all the right things. He wants to win so he'll be upset but then he lets it go and the smile is back on his face."
Achiuwa finished April averaging more than 15 points per game for the second month in a row.
Jonathan Mogbo also added to the positive showing. The two-way forward scored 12 points and chipped in seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Mogbo, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, spent his first two seasons with the Toronto Raptors and played limited minutes off the bench.
Darius Acuff Jr. had his moments too, hitting some outside shots, but Sacramento’s front line set the tone. Even without a preseason win yet, the Kings are getting promising signs from Raynaud, Acuff, and the rest of their projected contributors.
In Other News...
Kings Suddenly Have Two Roster Concerns Fans Can't Ignore
The preseason results have not gone Sacramentos way, and the latest loss came with a tougher subplot than the scoreboard. The Kings dropped their third straight exhibition game, even as Darius Acuff Jr. flashed with 25 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds, and Ben Simmons made his team debut with a modest but steady line. It was the kind of night that offered a little bit of optimism in spots, while also reminding the coaching staff that the roster is still sorting itself out.
The bigger concern came late, when Maxime Raynaud went down and had to be wheeled off the floor after exiting near the end of the second half. His injury adds another layer of uncertainty to a team that is already trying to figure out its best combinations, especially with De'Andre Hunter struggling again and leaving questions about where he fits. Sacramento gets another preseason look next against Portland, but right now the rotation picture feels more unsettled than encouraging. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Karaban Already Faces A Tough Kings Rotation Reality
With two roster spots still open, the Kings are already looking at a crowded forward mix, and Alex Karaban is feeling the squeeze before the season even starts. His preseason work has offered a glimpse of why Sacramento likes the fit, but his minutes have been limited and have shifted depending on who was available around him.
Karaban did flash enough in exhibition play to stand out against some of the veterans in the mix, which only adds to the intrigue as the Kings sort out their rotation. Even so, the regular season picture still points toward established options getting the early edge, leaving Karaban in the kind of wait-and-see spot that can define a young players first run with a team. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Frontcourt Suddenly Has A Maxime Raynaud Problem
A rough preseason night added another layer of concern for Sacramento when Maxime Raynaud went down against Golden State and had to be helped off after a right knee injury. The Kings are already in the part of camp where health matters as much as rhythm, and with two preseason games still on the schedule, every setback forces the staff to balance evaluation against caution.
Darius Acuff also exited limping, though his issue looked less severe in the moment, leaving Sacramento with more questions than answers in the frontcourt. The broader concern is less about one October game than what it can do to a team trying to sort roles, build continuity and get through the rest of the preseason without losing more bodies along the way. [Read more 🡒]