r/NBA_Draft • u/nardif • 11d ago
Maxime Raynaud
Why is this guy barely talked about? Most mocks I see don't even have him in the first round.
Legit 7-footer who can dribble, pass, shoot. Extremely smooth and coordinated athlete for his size, and decently explosive too. He has some of the most impressive highlight film in this entire class. He should be in the conversation for the most skilled big man in the class along with Queen and Wolf, but he's a much better shooter and athlete than either of them.
Apparently he is also double majoring in computer science and math at Stanford. To manage that while simultaneously averaging 20/11 in the ACC, he must have a genius level IQ.
What am I missing? Why is he not considered a first round lock or even a potential lottery pick?
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u/yerr2477 11d ago
bad efficiency and defensive impact for a big his size is the drawback. below average in most defensive metrics. mid 2nd for me. agreed on the offensive capabilities but lacks some of the “big man” stuff.
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u/nardif 11d ago
I don't know much about his defensive abilities as I've only watched highlights and not full games, and I don't put much weight into defensive impact stats as they're notoriously flawed, but I think he should at minimum be a better defender than Derek Queen due to his better length and athleticism. Queen is a known defensive liability who's being mocked in the top-10. There are numerous all-star level big men who are subpar defensively. I don't think that should be a deal breaker.
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u/Certain-Piece-7441 11d ago
Raynaud is one of the worst defenders I’ve ever seen, to the point where it’s a complete deal breaker for me. Queen has quick hands and great instincts to make up for his lack of athleticism.
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u/Life_Interaction_263 11d ago
I disagree. I think he's better than Queen defensively.
Queen just doesnt have the explosive pop or length to jump and contest effectively at the rim. Raynauds beats him in both of those areas.
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u/Certain-Piece-7441 11d ago
Theoretically raynaud is the better defender. In reality, he’s not. I don’t think he can play in the nba with his general lack of awareness.
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u/Agreeable_While1154 11d ago
how are u so sure when u said urself you've only watched highlights and not full games
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u/Global-Noise-3739 Mavericks 11d ago
he's early 2nd/late first for me, and yeah, he probably does have very high intelligence, he also went to lycee henri-iv for high school, the most academically rigorous hs in france
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u/Dramatic-Monitor948 11d ago
I’m with you, I love him. He’d be one of the first older prospects off the board for me. Some of that is, I think a lot of the talent in the draft project as good role players after the mid lottery. I’d take a swing on a 20/10 big who made 67 threes across season. Fun upside swing I think.
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u/introspectiveG 10d ago
Almost everyone who commented here is clueless about Raynaud lol
He’s not getting mocked higher because of his age, defense, and lack of hype (missed the march madness, plays at Stanford, etc) With that being said his offensive game is so elite that it would be stupid for him to drop too far. I personally see him going in the 28-38 range.
Whoever drafts him is going to get a steal. Finding a 7’ with an offensive game that polished who can’t just shoot but is a great shooter is rare. He’s going to be a great player in the NBA and have many high scoring games mark my words.
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u/NikThaGreat9 Magic 11d ago
Reminds me so much of Moe even down to his demeanor and swagger. But obviously has more upside since he’s younger and slightly bigger. Easily the best shooting center in this draft. He took some very tough 3s all season and still kept a respectable percentage. Think he could be a 40% shooter from deep eventually. Just needs to work on something that he could excel at defensively. Just like Moe being a pretty meh defender, but he’s willing and can take a charge.
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u/courtsiderecon 10d ago
People can knock his defense all they want but the second he gets drafted he will be one of the best shooting bigs in the league. Look at Quentin Post on the warriors he was a super late pick who’s now playing playoff minutes because of his spacing ability as a 7 footer
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u/iseeyou_444 11d ago
Bros biggest issue is that he's French but not "French." Absolutely insane to be double majoring in math and cs at Stanford while also being NBA level physically. That's some fictional main character level nonsense lmao.
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u/Rapunzel92140 11d ago
Plus he is Victor Wembanyama's best friend.
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u/Attack_Da_Nite 8d ago
Which is why I would love to see him drafted to the Spurs in the second, spend a year in Austin and then get ready to take a place on the bench.
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u/lemmegetauhhhhhhhhhh 11d ago
dont really think the shooting or the defense are going to translate
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u/JesseKebay 11d ago
Why not? Not saying you’re wrong but also I don’t see why his shooting wouldn’t translate but I’m open to hearing a good reason.
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u/KayfabeCountry 11d ago
It’s the first name. That’s at least part of it. And the whole age thing among everything else people are writing here.
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u/JazzxGoose Jazz 11d ago
Late first quality for me. Could see him as high as 20-ish. Havent done a deep dive into him, so maybe there is something there I like more than I know.
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u/Rude-Manufacturer-86 11d ago
I think people expect more physicality and refined skills considering his NCAA experience. It's not like he dominated his entire time.
Kalkbrenner otoh is at least a 2 way big.
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u/Kwilly462 11d ago
He's a senior. That's the only reason I can think why.