\u201cOne of the things about this year being so bad\u2026 I think that it has a little bit glossed over Maxime right now,\u201d Dave said, pointing out how the team\u2019s struggles have overshadowed what could otherwise be a major storyline.<\/p>\n
![\"SACRAMENTO,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2251491791-300x203.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
More on Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud<\/p>\n
Drafted 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Maxime Raynaud wasn\u2019t expected to still be on the board that late.<\/p>\n
Many analysts projected the former Stanford University standout as a late first-round pick. Instead, Sacramento capitalized on the slide\u2014and it\u2019s starting to look like a steal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn another scenario, we would be sitting here saying, hold on a second\u2026 With the 42nd pick in the draft, we drafted a guy\u2026 Is this our best second-round pick of all time?\u201d Dave asked. While he quickly corrected himself\u2014\u201cOur second best second round pick of all time\u2026 can he become the best? Sure.\u201d\u2014the sentiment was clear.<\/p>\n
Raynaud\u2019s impressive production in March backs it up.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 boards, two assists (over 11 games)\u2026 on 63\/42\/83 splits\u2026 that is efficient,\u201d Dave noted. \u201cIt\u2019s not a fluke\u2026 his rise is not fluky\u2026 we got ourselves a steal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ross echoed that idea, framing Maxime Raynaud as a prime example of strong scouting and development. \u201cDo your job, do your research, find your gems. And the Kings did that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Opportunity has certainly played a role. Injuries across the roster opened the door for Raynaud to see extended minutes, such as Domantas Sabonis\u2019 season-ending knee injury, but both hosts emphasized that he\u2019s done far more than just fill in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just that he played 30 minutes. He\u2019s been good for weeks now\u2013a couple months now,\u201d Dave said. \u201cAll these injuries\u2026 have fast-tracked this.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a season where wins and losses have sparked debate about draft positioning, Maxime Raynaud represents the other side of the equation: finding value regardless of where you pick.<\/p>\n
As Dave put it, \u201cWhen you say the steal of the draft, it\u2019s the biggest delta between where the person was picked and how they performed\u2026 he\u2019s the steal of the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n
Check out the full conversation by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n Maxime Raynaud and the Sacramento Kings will embark on their final road trip of the season with a five-game East Coast swing that begins on Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte.<\/p>\n Sacramento dropped a 117-109 contest to Charlotte at Golden 1 Center on March 11th as the Hornets used a 30-point effort from LaMelo Ball to hold off the Kings.<\/p>\n Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Hornets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 4:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 24th \u2013 @ Charlotte Hornets \u2013 4:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nThursday, March 26th \u2013 @ Orlando Magic \u2013 4:00 PM PT
\nSaturday, March 28th \u2013 @ Brooklyn Nets \u2013 4:00 PM PT
\nSunday, March 29th @ Brooklyn Nets \u2013 3:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, April 1st @ Toronto Raptors \u2013 5:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SactownSportsEmail-300x250-1.jpg\")
\t
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SactownSportsEmail-830x100-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n