Kings Rookie Snubbed From NBA Rising Stars Game

The rookies selected to the game: Cedric Coward (MEM), Egor Demin (BKN), VJ Edgecombe (PHI), Jeremiah Fears (NOP), Cooper Flagg (DAL), Dylan Harper (SAS), Tre Johnson (WAS), Kon Knueppel (CHA), Collin Murray-Boyles (TOR), and Derik Queen (NOP). Surprisingly, all ten rookies selected were lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Making the case for Maxime Raynaud

While it is no surprise to see Clifford or Cardwell left out, or sophomore Devin Carter, for that matter, Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud certainly made a solid case to be included in the game.

With three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis missing two months with an injury, Raynaud stepped into the starting lineup to fill that void. With the increased opportunity, Raynaud surprised a lot of people.

In 39 appearances this season, and 24 starts, Raynaud is averaging 9.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 53.4% from the field. While Raynaud is not the league's best rookie by any means, he has been very productive and likely deserves some recognition. Whose spot would he take, though?

While this is a very talented rookie class and all of these players are deserving, Raynaud potentially could have been selected over Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles. The rookie out of South Carolina is averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists through 37 appearances and 13 starts, while shooting 53.6% from the field.

From a statistical standpoint, Raynaud certainly has a case over Murray-Boyles, but the Raptors rookie has made a huge impact for that team, especially on the defensive end, making it hard to say who deserves a spot more.

Raynaud is currently 12th among rookies in points per game and fourth in rebounds per game, while having the ninth-best field goal percentage. By the end of the season, it will be hard to deny Raynaud a spot on the All-Rookie Teams, especially if Sabonis gets traded at the deadline and his role increases again.

It would have been great to see Raynaud get some actual recognition from the league, as he has certainly earned a spot in the Rising Stars Game, but he received an unfavorable draw against a talented rookie class.

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