Maxime Raynaud Drafted: 5 Key Reasons The Sacramento Kings Landed Their Next Stretch Big
The wait is officially over. As of the December 22, 2025, the biggest news in the basketball world is the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, which saw former Stanford Cardinal star Maxime Raynaud fulfill his professional dream. The towering French center, who had an explosive final collegiate season, was selected by the Sacramento Kings, adding a unique blend of size and shooting to their roster. This deep dive explores his journey, his game, and why the Kings made a brilliant move by securing him in the second round.
Maxime Raynaud’s draft selection at pick 42 has generated significant buzz, positioning him as a high-upside prospect ready to contribute to the modern NBA game. His rare skill set, which earned him comparisons to established stars, makes him a prime candidate to quickly become a pivotal piece for the Sacramento Kings as they look to solidify their frontcourt depth.
Maxime Raynaud: Complete Professional Profile and Collegiate Dominance
Maxime Pierre Raynaud has quickly become one of the most intriguing international prospects to emerge from the US college system in recent years. His combination of size and perimeter skill is exactly what NBA teams are looking for in a modern big man.
- Full Name: Maxime Pierre Raynaud
- Nationality: French
- Birthdate: April 7, 2003
- Birthplace: Paris, France
- Position: Center / Forward (F/C)
- Height: 7’1”
- Weight: 245 lbs (111kg)
- College: Stanford Cardinal (2021–2025)
- NBA Draft: Selected 42nd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2025 NBA Draft
The Breakout 2024-25 Season at Stanford
Raynaud’s final year with the Stanford Cardinal was nothing short of a statistical explosion, especially as the team navigated their inaugural season in the $\text{ACC}$. He quietly had one of the most statistically impressive seasons in the country.
- Games Played/Started: 33/33
- Minutes Per Game: 33.5
- Scoring Average: 20.0 points per game
- Rebounding Average: 10.5 rebounds per game
- All-Around Production: He also contributed 1.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
His impressive production cemented his status as a true stretch big prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft. This dominance was a key factor in elevating his draft stock from a potential early second-rounder to a late first-round consideration in some mock drafts.
Why The Sacramento Kings Selected Raynaud at Pick 42
The Sacramento Kings’ decision to use their second-round pick on Maxime Raynaud was a calculated move that aligns perfectly with the team's offensive philosophy and addresses their need for a skilled, versatile frontcourt player. Raynaud’s scouting report highlights a rare combination of attributes that make him an ideal fit for the Kings’ up-tempo system.
1. Elite Shooting Touch and Stretch Big Potential
Raynaud is a skilled big man with a genuine shooting touch, making him a highly productive player. His ability to stretch the floor is his most marketable skill. As a 7’1” center, his perimeter threat forces opposing bigs out of the paint, creating driving lanes for teammates like De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. This makes him a perfect 'stretch big'—a necessity in today's pace-and-space NBA.
2. The Highly Coveted Brook Lopez Comparison
Perhaps the highest praise for Raynaud came in pre-draft analysis, where he received comparisons to Milwaukee Bucks star Brook Lopez. This comparison is significant because Lopez successfully transitioned his career into that of an elite three-point shooting, rim-protecting center. The Kings are clearly hoping Raynaud can follow a similar developmental path, becoming a defensive anchor who can also knock down perimeter shots.
3. Advanced Post-Game and Footwork
Beyond his shooting, Raynaud possesses a sophisticated interior game. He displays fundamental footwork and has a great touch on his hook shots, allowing him to consistently create space for himself in the paint. This dual-threat capability—being able to score inside and out—makes him a headache for opposing defenses and adds layers to the Kings’ half-court offense.
Scouting Report: Unpacking Raynaud’s Strengths and Areas for Growth
The scouting report for Maxime Raynaud paints the picture of a prospect with immense upside, but also with defined areas that will require development at the professional level. His success with the Sacramento Kings will hinge on his ability to maximize his strengths while mitigating his weaknesses.
The Core Strengths
- Size and Coordination: At 7’1” and 245 lbs, he has the prototypical size for an NBA center, coupled with impressive coordination for a player his size.
- Defensive Presence: He possesses a tangible defensive presence, contributing to his rare combination of skills. His 1.4 blocks per game in his final college season demonstrate his rim-protecting potential.
- Productivity: He was a highly productive player in a major conference, showcasing an ability to put up impressive numbers in points and rebounds.
Areas for NBA Development
While his offensive game is polished, Raynaud will need to focus on improving specific aspects of his game to thrive against NBA talent. His physical and defensive limitations were noted by scouts, suggesting that finding consistent minutes against great teams could be challenging early in his career.
The primary area of focus will be his lateral quickness and overall defensive mobility. In an era of quick, small-ball lineups, his ability to defend the pick-and-roll and switch onto smaller players will determine his ceiling. However, his high basketball IQ and excellent hands should allow him to adapt to the faster pace of the professional game.
The Path Forward: Raynaud’s NBA Outlook with the Kings
Maxime Raynaud enters the Sacramento Kings organization as a high-value second-round pick. The Kings are getting a player who could have easily been a late first-rounder, representing excellent value at pick 42. His immediate role will likely involve providing skilled depth behind the starting frontcourt, offering a different look with his shooting ability.
His development will be closely watched by the Kings’ coaching staff. If he can improve his defensive quickness and prove his three-point shooting translates seamlessly to the longer NBA line, he has a clear path to becoming a rotation staple. The $\text{Sacramento Kings}$ have secured a talented French professional basketball player who embodies the modern center archetype. His journey from Stanford to the NBA is a testament to the value of skill development and production at the collegiate level, and fans are eager to see this new 'stretch big' take the court.
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