Maxime Raynaud Delivers a Sabonis-Like Statement Game for the Kings
If you’ve been watching the Sacramento Kings this season, you know it’s been a rollercoaster-injuries, inconsistency, and a team still trying to find its footing in a stacked Western Conference. But in the middle of all that, something pretty special is brewing: rookie center Maxime Raynaud is making a serious case that he’s not just a fill-in for Domantas Sabonis-he might be the Kings’ next foundational big man.
Raynaud’s latest performance? A 21-point, 19-rebound explosion against the Pelicans that looked straight out of the Sabonis playbook.
It was the kind of game that grabs your attention-not just because of the numbers, but because of how they came. He was active on the glass, assertive in the paint, and didn’t shy away from the physicality.
Even in a rough loss, Raynaud was a bright spot, showing a level of poise and production that’s rare for a rookie big.
Let’s put that in perspective. Sabonis has been the Kings’ engine since arriving in Sacramento, and his double-doubles have become almost automatic.
He’s averaged one every season since 2019-2020, back when he was still with the Pacers. That streak?
Still alive-even in a season where injuries have made things tough. Sabonis has only played in 19 of the Kings’ 55 games so far, but he’s still putting up double-double numbers.
That’s consistency at an elite level.
But with Sabonis sidelined for two months earlier this season, the Kings had to look elsewhere. Enter Raynaud.
The rookie got the nod as the starting center, and instead of just surviving the minutes, he thrived in them. He’s been stringing together solid performances-double-digit scoring nights, multiple double-doubles-and showing he can hold his own against NBA-level size and speed.
That 21-and-19 line against New Orleans wasn’t just his best game yet-it was a statement. A career-high in rebounds, and arguably his most complete performance on both ends of the floor. He even chipped in an assist and a steal, showing flashes of the all-around game that makes Sabonis so valuable.
And here’s the thing: Raynaud’s not just stepping in because the Kings are desperate. He’s earning these minutes.
Yes, Sabonis is back, and Dylan Cardwell is also making his presence felt in the frontcourt rotation, but Raynaud is still finding ways to contribute. Over his last six games, he’s hit double figures in five of them and notched two more double-doubles along the way.
That’s not a coincidence-it’s growth.
For a Kings team that’s trying to balance the present with the future, Raynaud is starting to look like a key piece of the puzzle. He’s giving them size, energy, and a developing skill set that could be molded into something special. And while Sabonis remains the centerpiece for now, the Kings may have found his eventual successor-or at the very least, a reliable frontcourt partner.
What we’re seeing from Raynaud isn’t just a hot streak. It’s a young player figuring out how to impact games at the NBA level, night in and night out. And for a franchise that’s still chasing consistency and identity, that’s exactly the kind of development they need.
If Sacramento plays this right, Raynaud could be a cornerstone of their next chapter. And if he keeps putting up games like this, the rest of the league is going to have to start paying attention.