The Sacramento Kings have made sweeping changes to the roster over the past six months. That includes trading for Zach LaVine, signing Dennis Schröder and Drew Eubanks, and drafting promising wing Nique Clifford.
Arguably the most important addition the Kings have made during the 2025 offseason, however, is perhaps the most unlikely candidate: Second-round draft pick Maxime Raynaud.
Sacramento selected Raynaud at No. 42 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a steal of a selection, as the former Stanford Cardinal star has the attributes needed to provide the depth at center that the Kings were in danger of lacking.
Eubanks might argue otherwise, but Raynaud represents an opportunity to keep opposing defenses on their heels even when Sabonis is resting.
It's clearly fair to believe that Schröder will play a bigger role for the Kings in 2024-25 after the veteran signed a three-year deal worth just under $44.3 million. This in no way downplays his abilities, nor how important he'll be to Sacramento's postseason ambitions.
Raynaud simply plays a position of need, and has all of the tools to step into impact minutes from the very moment he debuts on an NBA court.
Maxime Raynaud gives Kings long-awaited shot at creating interior depth
Sacramento played a brief stretch during which it had depth at center. It'd traded for Jonas Valanciunas to back Sabonis up, and over the veteran's 32 games played, it had the tools at its disposal to build one of the most productive duos that the position has to offer.
Valanciunas has since been traded, however, making Raynaud the source of optimism for depth that lasts more than roughly half a season.
Acknowledging that Raynaud will likely face inevitable bouts of inconsistency as a first-year player, he has the tools to provide immediate value. He stands at 7'0.25" and 237 pounds with a 7'1.25" wingspan and the athletic ability to play with power above the rim.
Raynaud is also a productive three-point shooter who buried 67 attempts on 34.7 percent shooting during his senior season at Stanford.
Furthermore, Raynaud was a walking double-double in college. He averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in 2024-25, posting career-best marks in both defensive and offensive boards while continuing to excel as a three-level scorer.
Raynaud also posted career-best averages of 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game, which revealed elements of the defensive potential Stanford spent four years unlocking.
For the Kings, Raynaud has the potential and ability to play high-impact minutes off the bench. He has the shooting range to complement Sabonis, as well as the rebounding, pick-and-roll proficiency, and defensive upside to relieve him.
Perhaps placing high expectations on a first-year player would be an irresponsible decision, but as the Kings face the need for improved interior depth, Raynaud is their best option for achieving it.