The Sacramento Kings haven’t got a lot to hold their hat on for this season, however the breakout of second-round draft decide Maxime Raynaud is well on the high of the listing. The Frenchman is coming off of a career-high 32 points in a loss in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs, and whereas the Kings have not had a lot success this season, Raynaud has confirmed that he already belongs within the NBA.
On the season, he is averaging 11.4 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 56.6% taking pictures from the sphere and 25.0% from three. Raynaud nonetheless has 12 video games left this season for the numbers to vary, however odds are they’re solely going up with him in a distinguished beginning position for the remainder of the 12 months.
He’s the primary second-round decide to common a minimum of 11, 7, and 1 because the 2008-09 season, when one other younger worldwide large was making his debut. The numbers do not leap off the web page, however for a rookie large, particularly one from the second spherical, these are uncommon numbers that put him with esteemed firm.
Marc Gasol’s Rookie Season
Raynaud is the primary second-round decide with these numbers since Marc Gasol averaged 11.9 factors, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies. Eerily comparable stats to the Kings’ standout rookie.
Much just like the Kings, the Grizzlies struggled that 12 months, profitable simply 24 video games and ending final of their division (when these had been nonetheless an necessary factor). But the next 12 months, Gasol took a leap in his sophomore season and upped his averages to 14.6 factors, 9.3 rebounds, and a pair of.4 assists, and his discipline aim share jumped from 53.0% to 58.1%. It’s not outlandish to see an identical leap for Raynaud, as he is averaging 13.2 factors, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 44 video games this season as a starter.
And it wasn’t simply Gasol that improved in his second 12 months, however the Grizzlies as effectively. They jumped as much as 40 wins, and whereas they did not make the playoffs, it was the beginning of the grit and grind period in Memphis that led to seven straight playoff appearances, together with a visit to the Western Conference finals in 2012-13.
It’s not simply the stats and crew comparability that stand out between Raynaud and Gasol, both. They had been each older prospects of their rookie season, with Gasol taking part in his first 12 months at 24 years outdated, and Raynaud at 22
Head Start for Raynaud?
The one space the place Raynaud has the slight edge to Gasol is together with his taking pictures effectivity. As said above, Gasol shot 53.0% from the sphere in his rookie 12 months, whereas Raynaud is presently taking pictures 56.6% from the sphere.
That does not look like a lot of a distinction, however Raynaud’s effectivity has been extraordinarily spectacular this season. He’s not getting simply layups and dunks, both, however exhibiting he already has among the finest float video games within the league together with his push shot proper outdoors the restricted space.
The key shall be his three-point taking pictures. It took Gasol till the 2016-17 season earlier than he was trying multiple three-point try per contest, however Raynaud is sitting at 0.8 this season and simply shot a career-high 5 in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs. If he can knock down the three a dependable clip within the excessive 30’s, he may put himself within the All-Star dialog for years to come back.
And that three-point shot and continued evolution on offense shall be essential, as Raynaud does not challenge to be wherever close to the defender that Gasol was. He was the 2012-13 Defensive Player of the Year, which is an award Raynaud possible will not ever be up for consideration for. But he has proven enchancment on that finish, and together with his offensive upside, he does not have to be the lockdown defender that Gasol was to make a big effect.
If Raynaud had been to have a profession wherever close to Gasol’s, that will be an unmitigated success for each him and the Kings. That’s a lofty aim to achieve, as Gasol ended his profession as a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA member, and 2019 NBA champion. But if the Kings are going to shock everybody and make a fast accession again to the playoffs, they will should get assist in some unlikely locations. And Raynaud already seems like he might be that actual piece to the puzzle after a powerful rookie season.
