Kings center Maxime Raynaud is expected to join Team France this summer ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, according to Maxime Aubin of L’Equipe (Twitter link). The 2025 second-round pick could be an All-Rookie selection, having averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds through 73 games, including 55 starts (26.4 minutes per contest).
“I’ve seen (French national team GM) Boris (Diaw) several times during the season,” Raynaud told Aubin (hat tip to Eurohoops). “The roster hasn’t been announced yet, so I don’t know anything for sure, but it seems like they are considering me for the FIBA windows. I would be very happy to take part. Representing the French national team is a unique opportunity.”
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Former NBA guard Carlik Jones has signed an extension with Partizan Belgrade, the Serbian team announced (Twitter video link). Jones’ new contract runs through 2027/28, per Mozzart Sport. According to BasketNews, the 28-year-old missed the first few months of 2025/26 due to a fractured foot, but he has excelled since he returned to the court, averaging 15.6 PPG, 4.5 APG and 2.9 RPG in 14 EuroLeague games.
- Ex-NBA big man Darius Bazley has been waived by the Ningbo Rockets a little over a month after signing with the Chinese club, relays Bryan Kalbrosky of For The Win (subscriber link). The 25-year-old forward/center was upset about an inbound play that occurred in Wednesday’s game against the Shanghai Sharks (YouTube link). Bazley’s pass, which was supposed to go to teammate Zavier Simpson, was stolen by an opponent, who quickly converted a three-pointer. Bazley argued with Simpson about the play and then intentional threw the subsequent inbound pass to the referee, who was standing out of bounds. Bazley was pulled from the game and was reportedly spotted pushing a teammate, who was attempting to calm him down. The former first-round pick was released after the game.
- Valencia Basket guard Jean Montero has reportedly received contract offers worth $4MM+ from multiple college programs, according to Shot Vetakis and outlets in the Dominican Republic (hat tip to Dario Skerlectic of Sportando). Montero was one of the top undrafted players in 2022. He was expected to join the Knicks on an Exhibit 10 contract that summer, but the deal reportedly fell through because he had a significant buyout clause at the time with Spain’s Gran Carania.
Raynaud lol. He can score the basketball in many different ways. I kind of liken him to David Lee. Offensively maybe he’ll get it done and I think Lee even made the All-Star game one year.
But his defense was so bad they had to ship him out of town. I can still picture Andrew Bogut screaming at him for not rotating over. Hilarious.
I’ve never seen a guy get lost on defense as much as Max. He’ll double team at the wrong time leaving his guy open for a layup and please tell me.., anyone, have you ever seen Max box out his guy on the defensive boards? Lol the next time you see him do it will be the first time he does it.
Maybe he’ll care when his team gets better because right now they’re just out there running around. Let’s give this a few years to see if someone gets in his ear about the defensive side of the ball?
Yeah. Maxy and defensive end are comical mentioned together. The French revolution is coming though and they don’t need Raynaud.
That Darius Bazley sounds like he needs one put on his chin.
But, but, but…Al says he was the greatest center in last year’s draft…The Warriors blew it by not taking him…I think Al either has a school girl crush on Max, or is a troll. He can’t get enough of Maxi…
If someone likes Max, it’s for his scoring. Heck, there’s even NBA coaches who love scorers and will play guys who don’t care too much about defense.
With the kings right now wins and losses don’t matter as much so they’ll run guys out there who can put points on the board.
Plus, I think their regular guys are on the shelf? So it’s an excellent opportunity for a young guy to play and grow. I just hope the bad habits don’t become a thing for him.
Absolutely reaching for “content” with a blurb on Carlik Jones
Yep, lol, you’re right, but I can’t imagine that the NBA would pleased if we wrote the REAL headline, which is this…
“All regular starting players declared inactive for the entire NBA schedule today.”
Yessir I get it. The last day of the NBA season is always so weird and mostly a snoozefest
It’s hoops rumours, and basketball is a global sport. For example, I’m a Partizan Belgrade fan, and I don’t mind seeing Carlik extension reported here.