Why The Kings Now Have A Stretch Big To Play Next To Sabonis
For years, the Sacramento Kings have been searching for a reliable stretch big who can come off the bench behind Domantas Sabonis, but also share the floor with him in key moments. The need has been clear: a versatile frontcourt player who can space the floor, complement Sabonis' playmaking, and hold up defensively. After several seasons of experimenting with different fits, the Kings may have finally found their answer in Maxime Raynaud, the newly drafted big man out of Stanford. Falling to the second round despite first-round talent, Raynaud might be a major steal for a team looking to make a deep playoff push.
Raynaud brings a rare combination of size, feel, and shooting touch to Sacramento. At seven-foot-one, he not only can stretch the floor but also shows comfort as a passing hub, particularly from the high post, a skillset that mirrors some of Sabonis’ strengths. This makes him more than just a floor spacer; he’s a fluid offensive piece who can keep the ball moving and make smart decisions under pressure. His unselfish play style and ability to hit open shots will help maintain the Kings' offensive rhythm when Sabonis sits or potentially make it even more dynamic when they share the court. What makes Raynaud especially valuable is that he can fit with Sabonis, not just behind him. Too often in the past, the Kings have had to stagger Sabonis’ minutes because backup bigs couldn’t coexist with his style of play. Raynaud’s shooting ability and passing IQ allow Sacramento to run creative lineups with both bigs on the floor, opening up the paint for slashers like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. On defense, Raynaud brings enough size and mobility to hold his ground in drop coverage or rotate when needed, giving the Kings greater lineup flexibility.
We’ve already seen signs of what Raynaud can bring in the early stages of Summer League play. He and the Kings’ first-round pick, Nique Clifford, have put on a show. In his first couple of games, he scored in double digits and looked comfortable operating within Sacramento’s offensive sets. His ability to space the floor, make quick decisions, and contribute offensively without dominating the ball has stood out, precisely the kind of traits that translate well to NBA rotations. If he continues to build on this early momentum, his role could expand even more quickly than expected.
Raynaud might not have been the most talked-about name on draft night, but he could be one of the most impactful pickups for a team on the rise. The Kings have been searching for a frontcourt player who can make their offense more dynamic and their roster more balanced. In Maxime Raynaud, they may have finally found a player who can both support and elevate Domantas Sabonis. If he continues progressing the way he has in the Summer League, this quiet second-round pick could become a significant part of Sacramento’s long-term success.
