Maxime Raynaud might be the most intriguing seven-footer in this year’s NBA Draft pool. Born in 2003 in Paris, he moved from France to the U.S. to chase his college hoops dream. The move paid off, and as a junior at Stanford, he averaged 15.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-Pac-12 and the Pac-12 Most Improved Player honors.
The French big man then made another leap in his senior year and won the Skip Prosser Award as the ACC’s top scholar-athlete after averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in his senior year. Now with college behind him and the NBA Draft right around the corner, the big question is where Maxime Raynaud could land next.
Where Could Maxime Raynaud Land in the NBA Draft?
Boston Celtics
Raynaud and the Boston Celtics would be quite the match. The Celtics, fresh off a deep playoff run, aren’t exactly rebuilding, but they are always on the lookout for talent. Raynaud fits that mold.
Maxime Raynaud has gone from walk-on to ACC player of the year candidate, making more 3s than any collegiate 7-footer at Stanford. He’s the type of highly skilled, versatile big man many NBA teams are looking for, with plenty of upside still left to tap into long-term. pic.twitter.com/7NDXl73MRU
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 14, 2025
Raynaud is 22 and might be older than many of his draft peers, but Boston could use someone who can fit into an NBA team immediately, thanks to their experience.
He’s tall, experienced, and can hit from beyond the arc, and these could be reasons for the Celtics to take a chance and draft him.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama might just be waiting to welcome an old friend. The Spurs already have the NBA’s most exciting French prospect, and Raynaud has shared the court as well as an off-court friendship with his countryman since their teen years. Could the Spurs add another Frenchman to their lineup?
Here’s a look at #Spurs star Victor Wembanyama working out with French 7-footer Maxime Raynaud at the Mark Cuban Heroes Center in Dallas.
Raynaud is projected to go late first-round in the 2025 #NBA Draft. #PorVida pic.twitter.com/AFDdfasFrF
— Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) May 19, 2025
It is very possible. Raynaud’s frame, skill set, and basketball smarts would make him a natural backup or even a partner in the paint with Wemby. Raynaud brings familiarity and shooting to the Spurs.
Philadelphia 76ers
Now that Joel Embiid is locked in as the franchise face, the Philadelphia 76ers don’t need a starting center, but it does need a big man to support him. Raynaud, who impressed scouts by dropping 20 points and nine rebounds in a scrimmage at the NBA Combine, might be the perfect second-round value.
He’s not coming to take Embiid’s job, but he could strengthen the bench and step up when needed. He could also be crucial because the Sixers know all too well how important frontcourt depth becomes come playoff time.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons had an impressive season after being on the rebuild journey for a while. Raynaud could be a perfect addition to the young team.
Detroit holds the 37th pick, and the French prospect is expected to be taken late in the first round or early in the second. The Pistons are likely to target someone with size and versatility. Raynaud, who led the nation in double-doubles last season, brings both.
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Raynaud’s ability to score inside, rebound like a machine, and stretch the floor makes him an ideal complement to Jalen Duren. Imagine a two-big lineup that wears teams down on both ends. That could be possible if the Pistons pick Raynaud.
Charlotte Hornets
If Charlotte lands Raynaud, it might be one of the steals of the 2025 draft. The Hornets are desperate for consistency in the frontcourt, and Raynaud offers something that Jusuf Nurkić and Mark Williams don’t provide on a consistent basis, thanks to his consistent 3-point shot.
The Frenchman can bring balance to the lineup and space the floor. The fit makes sense even if the road to starting isn’t immediate. Pair him with LaMelo Ball, and that is a high-IQ, high-upside combo ready to cause chaos in the East.
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