Not just in terms of intangibles either. We take a look at who could very well be a surprise breakout performer like the Sacramento star.
Maxime Raynaud fell 42 spots on his NBA draft night.
Yet he ends up igniting NBA All-Rookie First Team chatter, after becoming the breakout surprise for the Sacramento Kings.
Raynaud presents a bright future in the state capitol of California. He also just sent this reminder heading into the 2026 draft night: Second round gems can still be discovered.
But it got KingsRoundtable thinking: Who could be next season's Raynaud?
Here are the five incoming rookies who very well could drop in the draft, but are capable of delivering a Raynaud-like impact.
Zuby Ejiofor, Forward/Center, St. John's
He's a blue-collar, rugged coachable talent who takes no issue scoring in the low post and handling the dirty work for the Red Storm.
There are Kings fans already hoping the St. John's star teams with Raynaud. Ejiofor presents near similar versatility. He could very well linger into the second round.
Motiejus Krivas, Center, Arizona
Krivas protects the rim like a bouncer preventing unwanted guests at his bar and club.
The Wildcats big is a machine when it comes to executing blocks. But that's not all.
The 7-foot-2 talent handed Arizona a strong low post scorer. Even on a team that relied on Koa Peat and Brayden Burries to handle the scoring. Teams will love his defensive motor, including Sacramento.
Tarris Reed Jr., Center, UConn
Reed already earned mentioned as a Kings draft possibility. Here's why he really earns the Raynaud comparison: His age and maturity.
Raynaud entered the league as an elder statesman and opted to avoid entering the transfer portal amid the Stanford coaching change to Kyle Smith.
Reed, though, brings a rugged scoring presence who turns to physicality in getting his baskets. Teams won't be high on him due to his age. But Reed can step in and boost a frontcourt immediately.
Rueben Chinyelu, Center, Florida
The 6-foot-11 talent entered the draft waters but with a twist: He's maintaining his CBB eligibility in the event he opts back to the college game.
Chinyelu is known more as a rebounding magnet best known for delivering three different 20+ rebound nights.
He's another paint enforcer in the mold of Raynaud. The big question becomes will he remain in the draft water.
Nate Bittle, Center, Oregon
The fifth and final potential "Raynaud" is this Big Ten star seven-footer.
Bittle is another seasoned veteran at 22 years of age who played all five season in Eugene. He improved his points per game in his last three seasons including hitting a career-best 16.8.
Bittle, however, is a stronger 3-point shooter as a center (32.8% for his career). Raynaud delivered a near similar average from behind the arc this past season. Bittle happens to be a strong passer underneath too, another Raynaud trait. He could be available between 42 and No. 50.
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