The Sacramento Kings are preparing for an extended stretch without Domantas Sabonis, and that reality has opened the door for a longer-term change in the frontcourt.
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, rookie Maxime Raynaud is expected to hold down the starting center role going forward while Sabonis recovers, a process projected to sideline the veteran big man for at least another four to five weeks.
Raynaud, a French center selected 42nd overall in this year’s draft, has quickly made the most of his expanded opportunity. Since stepping into the starting lineup, he has delivered steady production, averaging 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over the past five games.
His efficiency has stood out as well, converting better than half of his shots from the field and showing some range by knocking down just over a third of his attempts from three-point distance.
Those returns have given the Kings confidence that the rookie can handle consistent minutes against starting-level competition.
The shift at center has also prompted adjustments elsewhere in the lineup. Head coach Doug Christie reshuffled the starting group on Thursday, sliding Keegan Murray from power forward to small forward.
Anderson notes that the organization views this alignment as a glimpse into Murray’s long-term role, suggesting the current lineup changes are not merely stopgap measures but part of a broader evaluation of the team’s future structure.
Pacific Notes: Kuminga, Green, Raynaud, Murray, Hachimura, D. Jones, Allen https://t.co/YpgWgNB8pV pic.twitter.com/ZIx38mUvSN
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 21, 2025
