Maxime Raynaud is on track to having one of the best rookie seasons by a big man for the Sacramento Kings in the Sacramento era.
The Kings’ rookie is currently averaging 10.9 points and 7.2 rebounds. He is shooting 56% from the field in 25 minutes per game.
Raynaud’s Production Compared to Other Kings Rookies
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 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.
This would place Raynaud as the 5th best rookie season for a Sacramento Kings big in the Sacramento era. Raynaud’s 56% from the field is better than those four other guys. He also is playing the least amount of minutes of that group.
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).
Raynaud was a second-round pick (42nd). The four other players mentioned were all lottery picks.
Bright Spot for the Kings
Max is currently 5th in the NBA’s rookie ladder also.
Raynaud’s 25 minutes 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.
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.
Walt Williams averaged 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists in his rookie season of 1992-93; Billy Owens averaged 14.3 points and 8 rebounds at the small forward spot in 1991-92; and Lionel Simmons averaged 18 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4 assists in 1990-1991. Keegan Murray 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.