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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
After completing his university studies, Maxime Raynaud is about to take the plunge and join the NBA. His stock is rising steadily in the run-up to the draft, even if questions remain about his future in the league.
And to think that a few months ago, he was struggling to find a place in any mock draft, if only as a second-round pick. Thanks to his impressive season with Stanford, Maxime Raynaud nevertheless caught the eye of NBA scouts at the best of times. So much so, in fact, that some teams – and not the least important ones – are now almost obliged to sign him.
Maxime Raynaud warned before his arrival in the NBA
Having put in some excellent performances at the Draft Combine, Raynaud has only increased the buzz around him in the league. Now touted as a possible first-round pick, he could even land with the Spurs as the 14th pick if Texans fans had their way. It has to be said that he certainly doesn’t lack qualities, as evidenced by the list compiled by Cyro Asseo of Choch for HoopsHype:
Offensively talented interior, capable of playing with his back or facing the basket, shooting from distance and attacking bad closeouts. He has an excellent touch, whatever the hand, and displays fine footwork in the paint. He also proves effective as an offensive hub, reads the game well and manages to find teammates who cut in from the baseline or in the corner.
Primarily appreciated for his offensive qualities, which he has displayed to the full in recent months on NCAA floors, the 22-year-old French interior also boasts a basketball IQ that is enough to make you salivate. However, this does not yet allow him to excel in all areas. Choch’s Cyro Asseo listed a number of his shortcomings, particularly on the defensive front:
His outside defense remains a work in progress. There’s a good chance he’ll appear to be in trouble when he has to defend against NBA wingers who are faster than him. So it could be that he’s more at ease as a stretch five than in the post 4 (…) His role in the NBA will depend on his ability to be solid enough defensively to cover the gaps and to remain effective at shooting at the next level.
At 7 foot 1, Raynaud is not as good as his fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama at covering the gaps left by his defense. His relative lack of mobility on this side of the field is likely to be a handicap, at least initially. The franchise that will get its hands on him on June 25 will no doubt have taken note of this shortcoming and will try to erase it with specific work in training.
