Maxime Raynaud is making the Lakers regret 2025 NBA Draft more every day

The Los Angele Lakers found a promising young talent in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft in Adou Thiero. Thiero looks the part of a potentially invaluable defender, with the athletic tools and college tape to support the hope that he can excel both on and away from the ball.

Unfortunately, as the Lakers continue to struggle to find reliable contributions at center, a player they passed over is making them regret their draft-day decisions: Maxime Raynaud.

Raynaud was selected at No. 42 overall by the Sacramento Kings. It was just six picks after the Lakers drafted Thiero at No. 36. There was certainly a rational line of thinking involved in Los Angeles prioritizing—and for that matter, trading up for—Thiero, as they desperately need athletic wing defenders.

The Lakers' need for stability at center is just as pressing, however, as neither Deandre Ayton nor Jaxson Hayes have sustainably established themselves as dependable figures.

Raynaud, meanwhile, is in the midst of a strong rookie season that's taking a turn for the spectacular. With All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis sidelined, the rookie has taken it upon himself to prove that he has potential that ranges far beyond simply making a quality impact.

Raynaud, who's just one year older than Thiero, is sustainably scoring at a borderline star-caliber level while flashing potential as a shot-blocker and force on the glass.

Maxime Raynaud has looked like a rising star in recent weeks for Kings

Raynaud turned heads on Feb. 9 when he dropped 21 points and 19 rebounds in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. It was brushed off by some as an isolated incident, however, as many pointed to the fact that it was his first 20-point game since December.

Since the day of his 21-point and 19-rebound eruption, however, Raynaud is averaging 17.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 offensive rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 blocks on 59.0 percent shooting from the field.

In addition to consistently putting up impressive numbers, Raynaud's eruptions have become far more common than anyone could've expected. He's now scored 20-plus points in seven of his past 17 games and nine overall during his rookie season.

His eruptions have reached entirely new heights over the past week, as Raynaud has scored at least 20 points in three of his past four appearances—including consecutive 30-point games.

Maxime Raynaud has 30+ points in consecutive games, 20+ in 7 of past 17

Raynaud went off to the tune of 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Mar. 17. Two days later, he dropped 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting against the Philadelphia 76ers.

In the process, Raynaud became the first Kings rookie in 33 years to score 30-plus points in consecutive games.

Raynaud has also become one of just six 2025-26 rookies with multiple 30-point games. The others are Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, and Derik Queen—all of whom were lottery picks and four of whom were top-five selections.

Raynaud also has the sixth-most 20-point games of any current rookie, trailing only Knueppel (33), Flagg (27), Edgecombe (18), Bailey (12), and Jeremiah Fears (11). Each of those players were top-10 picks.

Clearly, there's no way to guarantee that Raynaud's success with the Kings would be replicated with the Lakers. One simply can't help but note that the center position is one of absolute uncertainty and Raynaud is a 22-year-old talent who has proven capable of producing in an NBA setting.

If nothing else, Raynaud's early success has put even more pressure on Thiero to deliver as the high-level wing defender the Lakers need him to become.