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.