What we saw from Maxime Raynaud’s brief Summer League showing

Maxime Raynaud probably didn’t need to play in Las Vegas Summer League, but he did so anyway.

Raynaud, coming off an impressive rookie campaign in 2025-26 that saw the Stanford product finish with a Second Team All-Rookie nod, showcased enough of his talent and growth over 74 games (56 starts) with the Sacramento Kings, acting as the starting center for most of the year.

With Domantas Sabonis (knee) sidelined for most of the season, Raynaud–the 42nd pick in last year’s NBA Draft–filled in admirably, averaging 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field during his 56 games in the starting center spot.

The 23-year-old wants to take another leap in 2026-27, and his showing in Summer League gave reasons for optimism, even if Raynaud is currently lined up to begin the season in a reserve role.

🇫🇷 MAXIME RAYNAUD !

20 POINTS
12 REBONDS
3 AST, 1 INT
7-15 FG⎜2-5 3PM pic.twitter.com/gviDUxCHOR

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) July 13, 2026

More on Maxme Raynaud’s Summer League Performance

On the heels of an All-Rookie Second Team nod, Maxime Raynaud looked really strong in one of his Summer League showings–the other, not so much.

Raynaud, who missed the California Classic due to commitments with the French national men’s basketball team, had a sparkling Las Vegas debut last Sunday, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against the Washington Wizards.

The Sacramento Kings’ 42nd pick from last year’s draft was a presence in the paint while also knocking down two of his five attempts from three-point range, but that success didn’t translate to his next showing.

Raynaud scored just three points on one-of-three shooting and collected just four rebounds against Brooklyn last Tuesday, as the seven-footer struggled to combat a physical Nets frontline.

Seeing Raynaud play — and speak — with confidence, especially after a surprise rookie season that established him as a building block in Sacramento, was encouraging, and struggles are bound to happen, even for a 23-year-old second-year talent.

Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings yells after making a basket while being fouled against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

Spacing the floor would be a great way for Maxime Raynaud to find more minutes, potentially even alongside Domantas Sabonis, but the defensive contributions from the two could prove problematic during the regular season.

Maxime Raynaud has proven he has an offensive bag and can create in and around the paint. It was a brief Summer League showing, but the Kings have a strong option to back up Domantas Sabonis heading into the fall.

Things are fluid in Sacramento, and Sabonis, who has two years and just over $90 million remaining on his deal, could be moved at any time as general manager Scott Perry looks to reshape the roster and create a young, sustainable core.

Sabonis, 30, doesn’t fit the timeline of Darius Acuff Jr. (19), Nique Clifford (24), Alex Karaban (24), Dylan Cardwell (25), Emanuel Sharp (22), or Raynaud (23).

If Maxime Raynaud can continue to establish himself, prove he can hold his own on defense in the paint, and improve his marksmanship (32 percent from deep during his rookie season), the Kings can feel confident in moving forward with its offense-to-defense center rotation in Raynaud and Cardwell.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The start of the 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for the Sacramento Kings.

Sacramento will begin training camp in late September as they prepare to begin preseason play on Monday, October 5th when they face Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center.

Be sure to stay tuned into Sactown Sports all offseason for roster updates, schedule announcements, analysis and much more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

• Monday, October 5th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7 P.M. PST)
• Thursday, October 8th @ Los Angeles Lakers (7:30 P.M. PST)
• Saturday, October 10th @ Golden State Warriors (5:30 P.M. PST)
• Tuesday, October 13th vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 P.M. PST)
• Friday, October 16th @ San Antonio Spurs (7:00 P.M. PST)

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