The Sacramento Kings made their latest addition in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, selecting Maxime Raynaud with the No. 42 overall pick, using a selection that originally belonged to the Chicago Bulls.
The pick was acquired as part of the blockbuster — and now-infamous — three-team trade in February that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs and brought Zach LaVine to Sacramento.
While the Kings' front office will hope that Raynaud can become a viable contributor, the pick only adds another layer to what’s increasingly viewed as one of the most lopsided trades in recent franchise history. And that's saying a lot.
Updated Zach LaVine trade details after latest draft pick
Below is a look at the updated haul the Kings received in the Fox-LaVine trade:
- Zach LaVine
- Sidy Cissoko
- Maxime Raynaud (No. 42 overall pick)
- Protected 2025 first-round pick from Charlotte (converted into multiple second-round picks)
- 2027 first-round pick from San Antonio
- 2031 first-round pick from Minnesota
- Protected 2028 second-round pick from Denver
- 2028 second-round pick from Sacramento (via Chicago)
LaVine may have put up solid box score stats in his brief Kings tenure, but his overall impact has been far from inspiring. In 32 games with Sacramento, LaVine averaged 22.4 points on impressive efficiency, but his lack of playmaking, defensive limitations, and inability to elevate the team were glaring.
The Kings finished 40–42 and crashed out in the play-in tournament despite entering the season with lofty expectations. It turns out that pairing LaVine with his former Chicago Bulls teammate in DeMar DeRozan for a second time didn't result in a cohesive offense or a competent defense. Who would've guessed?
LaVine turns 30 this offseason and is under contract for two more years at a max salary, which further limits Sacramento’s financial flexibility. He remains a questionable long-term fit next to similarly defensive-challenged big man Domantas Sabonis.
Meanwhile, Fox quickly found new life in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama and has already become the Spurs’ on-court leader. The haul the Kings received in return for their homegrown franchise star continues to look worse by the day.
The No. 42 pick, used to select Raynaud, is a reminder of what Sacramento has to show for trading away their franchise cornerstone. While it’s possible Raynaud develops into a rotation piece, the odds of a second-rounder changing the narrative of this deal are slim.
The LaVine trade was supposed to be a retooling move for a team still looking to compete. Instead, it now feels like yet another short-sighted swing that cost the Kings their homegrown star. The Kangz may be back.