Raynaud's dominant summer performances position him to seize a starting role amidst shifting trade rumors in Sacramento.
Maxime Raynaud blossomed as a second-round gem for the Sacramento Kings in his rookie season, and he's primed for a breakout sophomore campaign.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz named Raynaud as Sacramento's breakout candidate for next season. He highlighted that the 7-foot-1 Frenchman averaged 19 points and 8.6 rebounds on 58% shooting and 48.1% from three-point range over his final 13 games.
Domantas Sabonis' season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee opened the starting role for the 23-year-old. He could resume the starting gig if the Kings decide to trade the veteran center after his name headlined trade rumors.
"Sabonis, 30, will be a name to watch in the trade market throughout the year as the young Kings look to build around players like Darius Acuff Jr. and Raynaud," Swartz wrote. "If Sabonis is indeed moved, the second-year center could be in for a big season."
Raynaud launched an All-Rookie campaign last season. He scored a career-high 32 points against the San Antonio Spurs on March 17, and earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month two weeks after.
Sacramento's young center became the ninth player in franchise history to earn the honor, joining his current teammate, Keegan Murray; he also made the All-Rookie Second Team.
Raynaud has had an active offseason, playing in the Las Vegas Summer League and the French national team in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The second-year center made his summer debut with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Washington Wizards.
His three-point shooting looked much improved, converting two threes on five attempts. Spacing the floor is Raynaud's next step in developing his offensive game and would allow the Kings to run double-big lineups.
He helped extend France's group play record to 7-1, with wins over Slovenia and Sweden.
Raynaud scored 13 points on 6-for-7 from the field against Sweden, including 1-for-1 from three, in 18 minutes off the bench. He stepped up in Rudy Gobert's absence.
It was his second straight double-digit scoring outing, dropping 12 points in France's blowout win over Slovenia in nine minutes.
He played a crucial role in helping his nation return to the World Cup and rewrite an embarrassing early first-round exit in 2023. France posted a 1-2 record in Group H, with Canada, Latvia and Lebanon.
An active offseason sets the stage for Raynaud to enter next season as a much more polished player, and he could re-enter the starting lineup should Sabonis be traded.
