By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, the Sacramento Kings face a summer of recovery and development, including the contrasting experiences of veteran star Domantas Sabonis and emerging rookie Maxime Raynaud.
The 29-year-old Lithuanian forward/center and two-time All-NBA selection reflected on a season largely lost to injury during his exit interview on Monday. After appearing in just 19 games, he underwent surgery in February to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. “It’s definitely been a tough season for me personally, not being out there with the guys or being a part of this season. It’s definitely new for me,” Sabonis said.
He admitted to trying to push through the pain before the procedure became inevitable. “I tried to play through it until I got to a point where it was either rehab or surgery. You guys know me. I decided to do rehab, and try to get back out there with the guys, and ultimately it led to six more games and then going for surgery,” he explained.
Despite the setback and persistent trade rumors, Sabonis, who is signed through the 2027-28 season, remains focused on his return to elite form. “There’s a lot of uncertainty. I don’t know what that feels like, but I can control what I control, and that is getting back to that All-NBA player that I know I can be,” he noted.
Addressing his future in Sacramento, he added, “I always want to get better as a player, no matter where I am, but I’m very happy here, you all know that. In things like this, you just have to focus on my knee, my rehab, getting back to the player I am.”
In his absence, Raynaud, the 42nd overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, out of Stanford, seized the opportunity to lead the frontcourt. He averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over 74 appearances, earning high praise from the veteran.
“He’s been great. His aggressiveness, learning how to play in different situations. At first, he was on a lot of pick-and-roll with Russ in the beginning, and then you see him on the three-point line shooting, pumpfaking, driving, making plays. That’s the growth you want to see. He’s proved that he can have an impact on all different areas on the court,” Sabonis observed.
For 23-year-old Raynaud, the offseason is about physical and technical refinement. “I think the main line will be improve on everything physical related, your body, being a little bit more explosive, a little bit stronger, go side to side a little faster, have a better second jump, that kind of stuff,” he said. “And then skill-wise, improve on what I’ve started to improve on at the end of the season, keep shooting threes, tighten up a little bit ball-handling, that kind of stuff. And as the summer progresses, being able to include all the skills a little bit better in like team action and team plays.”
The Paris native also confirmed his intention to debut for the French senior national team this summer, though his priority remains his NBA progression. “There are some national team events that I may partake in. I will have to go there. But I think the main idea is to probably stay here,” he mentioned regarding his balance between international play and preparing for his sophomore season.