Sacramento Kings desperately want a spark by way of their latest difficulties, and after lacking the 2025 qualifiers, many have been able to see what the brand new director basic Scott Perry had in reserve through the offseason.
The Kings entered the NBA 2025 draft on a mission, buying and selling within the first spherical to pick out Nique Clifford, then acquiring one of many class interceptions in Maxime Raynaud within the second spherical.
Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford
👑👑Prepared for motion with the @SacramentoKings! pic.twitter.com/b2vrkkgb2v
– NBA (@nba) July 5, 2025
The 2 incoming recruits must be respectable sport changers for the Kings, particularly since they be taught behind a central group of skilled veterans. Nevertheless, Raynaud obtained recommendation from a NBA celebrity who is just not a member of the Kings.
Earlier than the motion of the NBA Summer time League, Raynaud shared a narrative about the way in which during which the star of San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama referred to as him through the draft night to provide him honest recommendation.
“We have been dealing with the night of the draft. I imply, he needed to remind me that that is solely the beginning,” mentioned Raynaud NBC Sports activities California Morgan Ragan. “As, it’s a must to proceed working, after all. However on the identical time, he actually instructed me to get pleasure from [it] As a result of it is usually my expertise and my journey. And there’s no higher option to understand how it’s about being actually a part of the fireplace. So, sure, he did that. He is a particular man. “”
In fact, Raynaud and Wembanyama have the French connection, however it could be very particular if the celebrity of the Spurs takes the good man of the brand new Kings below his wing in a manner. Wembanyama, 21, might have simply entered his third 12 months within the NBA, however there are only a few gamers within the league that it could be higher to be taught.
Wembanyama and Raynaud are related gamers, in a specific manner, as nice males who can transfer like guards. In fact, no one expects Raynaud to be even a fraction of the participant that Wembanyama seems to be, however the huge man certified with 7 ft 1 inch can definitely make his personal model within the league.
The Sacramento Kings have chosen Maxime Raynaud from Stanford with the selection n ° 42.
Appropriate for a coveted 7’1 mould with a formidable capturing capability, which provides it a sooner path to the function of the NBA than some gamers who will probably be written in entrance of it. pic.twitter.com/rpqfftggfv
– Jonathan Givony (@draftexpress) June 27, 2025
Throughout his final 12 months in Stanford, Raynaud collected a mean of 20.2 factors, 10.6 rebounds, 0.9 interceptions and 1.4 blocks per sport with 46.7 / 34.7 / 77.0. For a participant of his measurement, Raynaud is an unimaginable perspective and must be adjustment for kings who want a extra earlier than the world.
Even when Raynaud is older than Wembanyama, the good recruit man may undoubtedly use the celebrity of the spurs as a mentor.