Without question, the smartest move the Sacramento Kings have made in the past decade was drafting Maxime Raynaud. One of his biggest fans is teammate DeMar DeRozan, who has made it clear that he expects Raynaud to make the NBA All-Rookie Team. And what DeMar says goes.
DeMar DeRozan says he's still mad that Maxime Raynaud didn't make the rising stars game and he hopes he makes the NBA All-Rookie team.
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) March 23, 2026
When it comes to rookies like Cooper Flagg or VJ Edgecombe, no one is surprised by the high quality of play they're bringing to the table already. It's exactly what anyone who knew anything about the 2025 NBA Draft's top picks expected from them. They are the best of the best of the best.
What most people didn't see coming was the sudden and sustained rise of Maxime Raynaud. The French rookie from Paris has turned heads by becoming one of the top young talents in the league. A major injury to Domantas Sabonis created an opening, and Raynaud took full advantage of it.
Now, Raynaud sits at number four on the Kia Rookie Ladder with NBA Rookie of the Year honors not as far out of reach as some might think. He's leading all rookies in double-doubles, collecting 84 points, 23 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and one steal in the last three games.
DeMar DeRozan is a major Maxime Raynaud booster
One person who has made no secret of his belief in Raynaud is All-Star DeMar DeRozan. He was incredibly clear that he was disappointed Raynaud wasn't selected as a Rising Star. More than that, DeRozan fully expects him to be a member of the NBA All-Rookie team this year.
While the season has been a wash for the Kings, seasoned veterans like DeRozan and Russell Westbrook have been trying to help develop rookies like Raynaud. It's a major part of how the Kings are building for the future. There's no denying the impact DeRozan and Westbrook are having.
Beyond that, the level of confidence that comes from knowing that a player like DeRozan believes this deeply in him has to be game-changing for Raynaud. For a team loaded with young stars, this is the real value of having a pair of veteran players with nearly two decades of experience around.
While many, including DeRozan, see Raynaud as a deserving and likely member of the All-Rookie Team, there's no such thing as a shoo-in. Regardless of how this shakes out, Raynaud has had an impressive rookie season. His ongoing success will be considered part of DeRozan's legacy.