The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to acquire a low-cost, potential impact player with the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Philadelphia used it to draft Johni Broome, who it thought fit the bill. It’s incredibly early to determine whether this choice was a mistake, but a player the 76ers passed on has wasted no time cementing himself into the league.
Maxime Raynaud, whom the Sacramento Kings selected 42nd overall, has hit his stride amidst Domantas Sabonis’ absence. The center’s traits that would’ve benefitted Philadelphia like his rim-running, scoring creativity and rebounding have popped lately. Broome, meanwhile, has cycled between the 76ers and Delaware Blue Coats and is yet to find his footing.
Raynaud’s recent play is one of Sacramento’s few positives in what is turning into a lost season. Sabonis has missed its last 13 contests largely due to a partially torn left meniscus that he suffered on November 20th. His leave has played a critical role in the Kings' 6-21 start, as they have endured a four-game losing streak.
But, Raynaud has taken this as an opportunity to establish himself, tallying 15.4 points on 53.4% shooting from the field and 8.8 rebounds in his last five games. This span includes his career-high 29 points as well as 11 rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
Starting in Sabonis’ place, Raynaud has thrived in pick-and-rolls with Russell Westbrook. The nine-time all-star’s rim pressure has created many scoring chances at the rim for Raynaud that he made the most of. The rookie has also scored through put-back points and displayed a strong scoring touch taking defenders to the low post off the dribble.
While the Stanford product is more of a play-finisher, he has shown an ability to initiate dribble handoff actions and make the extra pass. His three-point shooting has been a work in progress too. He attempted 5.5 threes per game in his final collegiate season, but is shooting 35.3% from beyond on 0.9 tries in his rookie campaign.
It’s too early to tell with Broome
Highlighting Raynaud’s success isn’t a slight at Broome, however. The NBA regular season isn’t even at its halfway point, so there is still time for the 76ers’ rookie to show flashes between now and the next few years.
Unlike Raynaud, who showed promise as a pick-and-roll threat, Broome entered the league without a niche offensive skill. He had great success at the collegiate level anchoring offenses from the post, with three All-SEC appearances to show for it. But, his interior scoring hasn’t translated as he has struggled to create separation off the dribble in limited NBA minutes.
The rookie has appeared in six games this season, averaging 1.7 points on 20% shooting from the field in 6.5 minutes per contest. Broome, a 30.5% perimeter shooter in college, progressed from beyond the arc in the Summer League, but that also hasn’t bled into his NBA career. He is converting just 22.5% of threes through eight games with the Blue Coats.
Though Raynaud and Broome are both in need of defensive progression, Raynaud’s seven-foot, one-inch stature can make up for his lack of mobility. Broome, at six-foot, 10-inches, is slow footed and prone to shooting fouls, making it difficult for him to match up against forwards and centers.
Again, Broome has plenty of time to carve out a role in the NBA, but for the time being, Philadelphia’s investment hasn’t looked the wisest.