Maxime Raynaud has been lighting it up for the Sacramento Kings, and his recent performances have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. But last night's game against the Hornets was a different story. It wasn't that Raynaud had an off night; rather, he seemed to be sidelined from the Kings' offensive strategy.
Since the end of January, Raynaud has been on a remarkable run. He's scored in double digits in 15 of the last 18 games and has notched nine double-doubles.
In four of those games, he crossed the 20-point mark. That's quite a feat for a rookie who was picked late in the second round.
Against the Hornets, however, Raynaud managed just four points, hitting one of his three attempts from the field. Without his two successful free throws, his tally would have been a mere two points.
This is surprising for someone averaging 11.5 field goal attempts per game this month, yet he only took three shots last night. Plus, he played over seven minutes less than his March average, raising eyebrows about his reduced role.
Raynaud's Impact on the Kings
It's worth noting that Raynaud has had quieter stretches before. January was one such period, with Domantas Sabonis back in the starting lineup and Dylan Cardwell emerging. But with both Sabonis and Cardwell out injured, Raynaud's competition for minutes is primarily Drew Eubanks.
In the two games before facing the Hornets, Raynaud delivered back-to-back double-doubles, leading the Kings to rare wins against the Bulls and Pacers. He logged 38 and 34 minutes in those games, a stark contrast to the 25 minutes he played last night.
So what's behind this sudden dip in minutes and involvement? There are a couple of plausible explanations.
The Kings might be eyeing better odds in the draft lottery, suggesting a strategic tanking approach. Alternatively, they could be preserving Raynaud, who is central to their future plans, to avoid any risk of injury.
Whatever the reason, it's clear that the Kings recognize Raynaud's growing offensive prowess, with his defensive skills also on the rise-evidenced by his eight blocks in the last three games. For Raynaud's development to continue, he'll need all the court time he can get before the offseason arrives.