The Sacramento Kings don’t need to treat their center depth like a problem. They should treat it like a chance to get creative.
Domantas Sabonis is likely sticking around for at least one more season, and probably two, which means the Kings’ frontcourt puzzle isn’t going away anytime soon. Add Precious Achiuwa into the mix, and there’s a real logjam at the five. But instead of forcing Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell to fight over scraps, Sacramento should put them on the floor together and see what that pairing can become.
That idea starts with what each rookie already brought in the 2025-2026 season. Raynaud flashed as a scorer and rebounder, finishing with the most double-doubles among all rookies.
Cardwell, meanwhile, established himself as a defensive force and an elite rim protector. Their games are different, but that’s exactly why the combination makes sense.
Raynaud and Cardwell both have areas to clean up, but pairing them could smooth out some of those rough edges. Raynaud can function as a power forward with Cardwell anchoring the middle, giving Sacramento a double-big look that could work on both ends of the floor. The size alone is hard to ignore.
Cardwell is clearly the stronger defender, and that matters in a big way if the Kings want to protect the paint. With Raynaud backing him up, Sacramento could at least have a better answer for a player like Victor Wembanyama. On the other end, Cardwell’s rebounding could create extra chances for Raynaud, whose offense is becoming more explosive.
Sabonis only adds another layer to the equation. He doesn’t have to be used strictly as a center, and he can also operate as a power forward. That gives Doug Christie and his staff multiple ways to mix and match the three bigs without being locked into one setup.
The bigger point is simple: Sacramento doesn’t have to view three centers as a limitation. It can be a strength if the coaching staff is willing to experiment. Raynaud and Cardwell are still developing, and the Kings should use this stretch to let them play, learn, and grow together.
If it doesn’t work, the Kings can move on. But with the team not in danger of making the playoffs this year, there’s no reason not to find out what this duo can do - both separately and as a new double-big pairing.
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Kings Still Face One Russell Westbrook Decision That Could Reshape Backcourt
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For the Kings, the issue is less about interest than timing and flexibility, and that is where the uncertainty lingers. Salary-cap constraints have complicated any attempt to keep Westbrook in the fold, while outside buzz has him linked to other NBA possibilities and even overseas interest. Sacramento would like to keep the door open, but for now the path to a reunion is still clouded by the kind of cap decisions that can reshape a backcourt in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]