If the current trajectory holds, Maxime Raynaud will have one of the best rookie seasons by a big man in Sacramento-era Kings history.
He is currently averaging 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and shooting 56% from the field in just 25 minutes per game. That might not jump off the page, but in the context of Kings history it certainly stands out. When a first-year big is flirting with double-double pace it moves him into a small group of productive front court players in Sacramento.
There are only a handful of Kings rookie bigs who have produced better or similar numbers in their rookie campaign.
DeMarcus Cousins averaged 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds (to go along with 2.5 assists and 1 steal) in the 2010-11 season.
Marvin Bagley averaged 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in 2018-19.
Brian Grant averaged 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the 1994-95 season.
Jason Thompson put up 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 2008-09.
So, this would place Raynaud as the 5th best rookie season for a Sacramento Kings big in the Sacramento era. Where he leads that group is in field goal percentage. His 56% from the field is better than those four other guys. He also is playing the least amount of minutes of that group (just a slight amount less than Bagley).
And when comparing the Per 36 of these five players, Raynaud’s rebounding (10.4 per 36) is comparable to Cousins rookie season (10.9) and Bagley (10.8), and higher than Thompson (9.5) and Grant (9.4).
Oh, and don’t forget he is a second-round pick (42nd), and these four other guys were all lottery picks.
Max is currently 5th in the NBA’s rookie ladder also.
Raynaud’s 25 minutes obviously hint at room for an increase in production as time goes on. His per 36 right now is 15.7 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Let’s not fool ourselves. The Kings draft history isn’t exactly stacked with hall of famers. And the standout rookie seasons have largely been guards (Kenny Smith, Jason Williams, Tyreke Evans, and Tyrese Haliburton). De’Aaron Fox averaged 11.6 points and 4.4 assists in his rookie campaign.
Shout out to small forward Walt Williams who averaged 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists in his rookie season of 1992-93; Billy Owens who averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds at the small forward spot in 1991-92; and Lionel Simmons who averaged 18 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4 assists in 1990-1991. And of course, Keegan Murray who was lights out from three in his rookie campaign and averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Raynaud has been one of the lone bright spots this season and appears to be a key rotational player moving forward. Pair him with fellow Kings rookie big man Dylan Cardwell, whose current Per 36 is 9.1 points, 13 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.3 steals, and the Kings have some nice frontcourt pieces to pair with whoever they end up drafting this summer.
I think the key piece of the Raynaud conversation is that his floor is probably solid rotation player, his ceiling is fringe (maybe multi time) all-star and he’s very possibly going to be a solid starting caliber center. This was a great pick, let’s hope we can get another one in this draft.
His floor will be determined by his defense.
I don’t doubt his offense, I believe that part of his game is functional enough to keep him on the floor. But his offensive contributions aren’t enough to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
He’s a smart guy, and BBIQ is in short supply here, but he seems to have some physical limitations that may cap his defense. I hope I am wrong.
Yup, his defense is what will hold him back. Right now he is just Kelly Olynyk without an outside shot. If he can just become a decent rim protector and/or bulk up to be a physical presence in the paint, it would go a long ways for him.
I still have very tempered expectations, but what gives me hope is that he is relatively young and bigs tend to take time. He is bound to gain muscle and feel for the NBA with each passing season.
As an example go look at the career arc of Ivica Zubac (also a 2nd round pick). He came into the league at age 19 and didn’t put up the numbers and minutes Maxime is producing until basically his 5th season. Zubac didn’t become an official starter until age 24 when he put up 10.3 and 8.5 at 24 MPG in his 6th season. He’s now a very good NBA center. Maxime is currently averaging 10.9 and 7.2 in 25MPG at age 22.
Am I saying Maxime is going to be the next Zubac? No, but he looks to be on the right path for NBA legitimacy. Still…tempered expectations. After all, he’s in the Kangz development system.
And there’s the most important part of the entire discussion. Kangz!
Do any of you have confidence that Raynaud and Cardwell combined could handle the starting center spot for he Kings. If not do we keep Sabonis? If you say yes do we trade Sabonis?
Handle in what way?
Can they play the position? Yes.
Will a team anchored by those two have a decent chance at a winning record? Depends on what they are surrounded by.
Luc Longley has 3 Championship rings.
You don’t trade Sabonis because of Cardwell and/or Raynaud. You trade Sabonis if you can get anything of value for him.
I’ve been pondering on development of young players a lot lately.
Here are my thoughts:
Real talent will rise to the top, no matter what. I sometimes hear the “Luka wouldn’t be Luka at Sacramento”. I really doubt that.The amount of development that teams can do is more limited than we’d like. It’s more an inherent will and ability to grow and a system thing, IMO (see below). Time, especially playing time, confidence and a clear role are the most important things for a young player to grow. That doesn’t require a lot of development. It requires showing confidence in a guy and backing it up by giving him time to play through mistakes.Just like real talent rises to the top, you can’t polish turds. Thomas Robinson says hi.Where some true development can occur IMO is with players in the grey area, that have some talents but also significant flaws. Also there, a defined role that helps them maximize their talents and hide their flaws while still working on those can help, but also real accountability and communication regarding expectations. I think here the Kangz have been lacking sorely.Have a clear offensive and defensive system. Yes, I know. But systems are created for exactly that; for players to understand their role and expectations, and also grow to do certain things automatically, without thinking and hesitating. That’s why teams like the Spurs and Heat churn out decent to good players, of which a bunch don’t reach a similar level of success elsewhere. It’s the system, stupid!I know nothing.
Thank you for attending my TED talk.
Crap, what happened? I had 7 points, not a wall of words.
Real talent will rise to the top, no matter what. I sometimes hear the “Luka wouldn’t be Luka at Sacramento”. I really doubt that.
The amount of development that teams can do is more limited than we’d like. It’s more an inherent will and ability to grow and a system thing, IMO (see below).
Time, especially playing time, confidence and a clear role are the most important things for a young player to grow. That doesn’t require a lot of development. It requires showing confidence in a guy and backing it up by giving him time to play through mistakes.
Just like real talent rises to the top, you can’t polish turds. Thomas Robinson says hi.
Where some true development can occur IMO is with players in the grey area, that have some talents but also significant flaws. Also there, a defined role that helps them maximize their talents and hide their flaws while still working on those can help, but also real accountability and communication regarding expectations. I think here the Kangz have been lacking sorely.
Have a clear offensive and defensive system. Yes, I know. But systems are created for exactly that; for players to understand their role and expectations, and also grow to do certain things automatically, without thinking and hesitating. That’s why teams like the Spurs and Heat churn out decent to good players, of which a bunch don’t reach a similar level of success elsewhere. It’s the system, stupid!
I know nothing.
Thank you for attending my TED talk.
Systems work with strong coaching and management collaboration reinforcing their rule.
It works in college – Brad Stevens at Butler, Gonzaga’s Mark Few come to mind along with Jay Wright of the modern coaches (Happy Selection Sunday!).
Heat Culture (Riley/Spo) Spurs culture (RC Buford/Pop) versus Kangz culture.
One produces Penicillin, the other, dry rot. (you thought I was going to go cheese – right!?)
Why this isn’t de rigueur for this franchise starts at the top. DLC (dismissive little chap) looks for answers that are plain to see but he can’t get beyond the mirror. Matina is there to hold his head in place in case he gets tired.
About MaxiRay – seems a bright, eager and talented rookie. Same for Dylan Cardwell, with less talent. Can they become Neemias Queta, or Zubac or Clint Capella. Yes.
It will take a lot of work, dedication and time to mold themselves into the type of player that can produce for the right NBA team.
In the Kangzdom, this will take a great deal of self motivation to achieve. I still can’t believe that Klay or Kawhi or Giannis or Luka would be future HoFers in Sacramento. the Kangz is a deep slippery home to climb out of. (IMO)
[…] played better after removing their high-priced veterans from the rotation – even though their young players aren’t as talented, they consistently play harder and with more energy than players like LaVine or […]
Raynaud is an anti- 2026 player. Doesn’t defend well, doesn’t protect the rim and doesn’t shoot the three well (in a limited sample).
He wouidnt be in the regular rotation of any top 15 team.
If he can improve his weaknesses then he’s got a future. If he’s an offense / rebounding guy then he’ll bounce around for 5+ years as a bench big.
Kings up by 14 at the half
[…] Source link […]
[…] رينود ألهمت بعض المقارنات إلى رجال Kings الكبار السابقين الذين أعلنوا عن وصولهم […]
[…] punya menginspirasi beberapa perbandingan kepada mantan petinggi Kings yang mengumumkan kedatangan mereka di NBA dengan musim pendatang baru […]
[…] ha inspirado algunas comparaciones con antiguos pívots de los Kings que anunciaron su llegada a la NBA con sólidas temporadas de […]
[…] has inspired some comparisons to former Kings large males who introduced their NBA arrivals with robust rookie seasons, such as […]
[…] has inspired some comparisons to former Kings big men who announced their NBA arrivals with strong rookie seasons, such as […]
[…] has inspired some comparisons to former Kings big men who announced their NBA arrivals with strong rookie seasons, such as […]
[…] has inspired some comparisons to former Kings big men who announced their NBA arrivals with strong rookie seasons, such as […]
Badge Legend