Maxime

Raynaud

The backup big man has yet to make his season debut, but until he returns, Dylan Cardwell and Precious Achiuwa should continue to pickup the slack in the frontcourt.

Working his way back from a right patellar subluxation suffered during the preseason, Raynaud was to be re-evaluated early this week. That did not happen on Monday, but the Kings are listing the second-year center out for Tuesday night. Precious Achiuwa and Dylan Cardwell have been providing depth at center when Domantas Sabonis is not on the floor.

The center has progressed well, but remains sidelined for at least another two weeks. Raynaud is recovering from a right patellar subluxation sustained on Oct. 10.

Raynaud underwent an MRI on his right knee that revealed a right patellar subluxation, according to the team. He’ll be reevaluated in two weeks. Raynaud left Saturday night’s preseason game against the Warriors in the second quarter due to the injury. Considering he was taken to the locker room on a stretcher, it’s encouraging that it appears he was able to avoid a more significant injury. Dylan Cardwell will have more opportunities as the Kings’ backup center in Raynaud’s absence.

Raynaud was injured while attempting to set a screen for teammate Darius Acuff Jr. during the second quarter of Saturday’s exhibition. The second-year center appeared to take a hit to his right knee and immediately fell to the court in pain. Raynaud was eventually taken back to the locker room on a stretcher. If he misses time, Dylan Cardwell’s role becomes even more important behind starting center Domantas Sabonis.

The Kings were without Domantas Sabonis for Thursday’s game, so Raynaud started. An All-Rookie selection last season, the 7-foot-1 center made 56 starts for the then-injured Sabonis. Raynaud finished the defeat with a double-double, and he had 18 such games last season. With Sabonis back, Raynaud is at best a late-round option in 12-team drafts. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if his role expanded at some point, especially if the Kings moved Sabonis.

The scuttlebutt surrounding the Kings heading into the February trade deadline was that the team would look to move some of its veterans to kickstart a reset of the roster. No one was moved, and Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left meniscus during the All-Star break. The veteran center once again being the subject of trade rumors is unsurprising, especially considering the Kings’ struggles and current salary cap situation. The Kings hold the seventh overall pick in this month’s draft, and Sabonis’ future could affect that, as well as Maxime Raynaud. Raynaud earned second-team All-Rookie honors and started 56 of the 74 games he played.

Flagg, Knueppel, and Edgecombe all received 100 first-place votes, with Harper’s 93 votes not far behind. Cedric Coward’s 29 first-place votes were the least of the first-teamers. Meanwhile, Derik Queen, Maxime Raynaud, Jeremiah Fears, Ace Bailey, and Colin Murray-Boyles were named to the All-Rookie Second team.

Raynaud continues to look like one of the best value picks of the 2025 class. He’s is currently eighth in the class in points per game, but since the All-Star break, he is fifth. Raynaud has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a tumultuous season for Sacramento. Depending on what moves the Kings make this summer, Raynaud could end up being a valuable option in fantasy basketball once again next season.

Raynaud had another impressive game as he finishes out his rookie campaign. In just 25 minutes, the 23-year-old center had 17 points and eight rebounds. Raynaud didn’t provide much in the other categories, but he’s shown himself to be a worthwhile fantasy option when starting.