Domantas Sabonis is preparing for his fifth season with the Sacramento Kings, dedicating time this offseason to mentor the team’s young big men, Isaac Jones and Maxime Raynaud. As Sabonis remains a reliable presence at center, the Kings hope his guidance will help strengthen the backup frontcourt in the lead-up to the 2025 season.
Roster Shifts Create Opportunities for Young Players
Following the trade of Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Dario Saric, the Kings’ depth at the forward and center positions will largely rely on promising but inexperienced players. While the team recently signed free agent Drew Eubanks, Sacramento views Jones and Raynaud as having higher long-term potential within their ongoing rebuild. This context places extra importance on developing these young talents alongside Sabonis.
Mentorship Extends Beyond Summer League Performances
After impressing in the Las Vegas Summer League, both Jones and Raynaud caught the attention of Sabonis, who took an active role in their growth by inviting them to his Napa home for an extended workout session. Sabonis praised their Summer League efforts and expressed enthusiasm about helping them improve their game.
“They performed at a high level,”
Sabonis said.
I had [Isaac Jones] and Maxime [Raynaud] out in Napa for a week. We’re just getting work outs together, and I’m trying to teach the young guys some things.
—Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings All-Star Center
This focused approach illustrates Sabonis’s commitment to shaping Sacramento’s future big men, emphasizing fundamentals and team chemistry well before training camp begins.
Raynaud’s Draft Journey and Potential Growth Areas
Maxime Raynaud, taken 42nd overall in the recent draft, had interest from teams earlier in the selection process but ultimately landed with the Kings partly due to his desire to learn from veterans like Sabonis. Considered a future stretch big, Raynaud’s ability to improve his passing should greatly enhance his overall impact on the court. Last season at Stanford, he averaged only 1.7 assists per game, but gaining distribution skills could elevate his ceiling drastically.
For Raynaud, training under Sabonis—ranked among the best passing big men in the NBA—offers the ideal environment to develop these aspects of his game. While Nikola Jokic is often seen as the standout in this skill set, Sabonis’s mentorship remains invaluable for Sacramento’s young players.
Isaac Jones’s Role as an Emerging Contributor
Isaac Jones may not possess the same high-end potential as Raynaud, but he demonstrated his value during last season and carried the Kings through the recent Summer League championship game. Jones’s ability to contribute as a dependable role player makes him a key candidate for minutes alongside Sabonis this year.
Building Chemistry Ahead of the Regular Season
With the possibility of Jones and Raynaud sharing playing time with Sabonis, early collaborations like the Napa workouts help the trio build on-court chemistry. Sabonis’s decision to host these sessions highlights his leadership and willingness to invest in the team’s younger players as Sacramento continues to push toward meaningful playoff success.
Domantas Sabonis shared that he hosted Maxime Raynaud (and Isaac Jones) at his house in Napa and they got some work in earlier this offseason. https://t.co/V3OYTYE3W4
—Matt George, Sports Reporter
Sabonis’s mentorship not only supports individual player growth but also strengthens the Kings’ roster depth, which could play a significant role during the demanding 2025 NBA season.
New Leadership and Continued Team Development
Aside from on-court mentorship, Sabonis has been actively engaging with the organization’s recent leadership changes. He spoke positively about Doug Christie’s promotion to full-time head coach and his introduction to new general manager Scott Perry. His involvement with the rookies and veterans alike, including DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, underscores his role as both a player and a team leader shaping Sacramento’s direction.
Outlook for the 2025 Season and Beyond
As the Kings gear up for the new season, the focus on preparing young frontcourt players through Sabonis’s mentorship presents a hopeful narrative for the team’s future. Cultivating this talent early in the offseason increases the likelihood of seamless integration during games and contributes to the broader plan of building a competitive, well-rounded squad. Maintaining this developmental focus could define Sacramento’s growth trajectory in the coming years.