With the NBA All-Star break now in the rear-view mirror, the final stretch of the regular season has arrived.
While some teams are looking to improve their playoff seeding, others are attempting to improve their odds in the upcoming draft. The 2026 class looks to be loaded with talent, and as a result, multiple teams have elected to “tank” this season.
Two of those teams appear to be the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies, who are each vying for a premier pick in this summer’s draft. Ja Morant has played just three games since the start of January to compliment Memphis trading away Jaren Jackson Jr., while Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and De’Andre Hunter are all sidelined for the remainder of Sacramento’s season.
As a result, both teams have turned to younger players, using the remained of the 2025-26 campaign to explore the capabilities of the players on their rosters while hoping to add a solid player in the 2026 NBA Draft.
On Monday night, a number of those young players were in action as the Kings beat the Grizzlies 123-114. Rookie big man Maxime Raynaud made his 33rd start of the season for Sacramento, tallying 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and zero turnovers while shooting 5-of-9 from the field.