SACRAMENTO – If there can be such a thing as a silver lining during an NBA season like the Kings are suffering through, it’s that the hard times have forced the organization into a look-ahead mode.
That means with a winning record long ago erased, let alone any hopes of making it back to the NBA playoffs, the Kings really have no other choice than to give their younger core an extended and extensive look the rest of the way.
To be fair, coach Doug Christie and his staff have done that to a certain extent, but from here on out, it should be with no restrictions whatsoever.
Kings fans got another look at the young crew in Sacramento’s 132-104 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center. Maxime Raynaud continued his phenomenal rookie season with a career-high 32 points and nine rebounds.
That was nothing new from Sacramento’s second-round 2025 NBA Draft pick. Raynaud leads all NBA rookies with 15 double-doubles, and he has been a strong force with his offense and defense.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had nothing but praise for Raynaud before the game.
“In this league it is so hard to be consistent,” Johnson said. “It is so hard to play against veteran players that know how to win, that know how to compete, that know the tricks of the trade.
“[Raynaud is] one of those guys, to me, that plays so hard. What ends up happening is your coaches and teammates gravitate toward that because they see the energy and the effort.”
Sacramento definitely has some talented youth on its roster, and it’s not just because of Raynaud.
Nique Clifford, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 draft, nearly had his first career triple-double against the Spurs (15 points, eight rebounds and six assists).
Daeqwon Plowden has been explosive in his third NBA season, although at 27 years old he hardly can be considered young. Yet he’s still a key component in Sacramento’s wave of youth.
The big key to the players’ development this season has been the willingness of veterans like Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan and others to keep setting a standard for the younger players.
When Westbrook took umbrage with some of the media criticism surrounding the Kings this season, he made it a point to emphasize his need to defend Sacramento’s younger players
About a week later, DeRozan scored 41 points, and Doug Christie pointed out how it was the way DeRozan played that set an example for younger players.
Raynaud said that Sacramento’s veterans have been a blessing to be around.
“It’s been essential, honestly, especially as rookies,” Raynaud said after Tuesday’s loss. “You want to have people that have done it before. You have to show the right example. I’m extremely grateful for everything they’ve done for us.
“Whether it is [DeRozan], Doug [McDermott], Drew [Eubanks], Zach [LaVine], [Domantas Sabonis], Malik [Monk] … literally, every single one of them, they’ve been fantastic. I really appreciate them.”
Christie, a former player himself, completely understands the importance of having veterans willing to work with younger players.
“It’s mightily important, because there’s the game and then there’s the game within the game that these guys ultimately have to learn as we go along,” Christie said. “About doing things right way, playing the right way. Even when you’re down. It goes a long way when they see veterans who have been through all the different battles that are on the same accord.”