2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 2

[Clutch0z24]

Drafting Malauch kinda ensures another tanking season. I think some rookies can come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely a long term prospect.

Tbh i think if we do not get Flagg/Harper Maybe Ace if he comes into the league and develops crazy over the offseason and becomes a go to scorer (Wishfull thinking)....I think we are pretty much going to be in another tanking season next year....I don't see any rookies outside of Flagg/Harper turning this team into even a lock for a play in spot....Defense is way 2 bad...And not enough 3 point shooting on a regular basis...

[earthtone]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

Embiid impact was felt at Duke. Maluach just floats around waiting for a lob. I'll watch more film since he has a lot of fans around here.

Watch on YouTube

I'd start with this for Maluach tape, his play with South Sudan and in the BAL is a lot different than his play at Duke.

He reminds me quite a bit of Derrick Lively in the sense that they both showed a lot of playmaking and shooting flashes at lower levels, but had their roles reduced to playing exclusively as a role man or in the dunker spot.

Guys with that combination of size, strength, and mobility don't come along often, and even in his limited role at Duke he's showcased elite touch and rim protection capabilities. He's falling down a lot of draft boards right now, but I'd be shocked if he goes any lower than 10 on draft day.

[ArthurVandelay]

17 weeks yesterday until Draftmas!!

Lottery Monday May 12

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[LoveMyRaps]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

Embiid impact was felt at Duke. Maluach just floats around waiting for a lob. I'll watch more film since he has a lot of fans around here.

excuse me sir, Embiid was a Jayhawk, not a Blue Devil.

[Ell Curry]

Drafting Malauch kinda ensures another tanking season. I think some rookies can come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely a long term prospect.

Tbh i think if we do not get Flagg/Harper Maybe Ace if he comes into the league and develops crazy over the offseason and becomes a go to scorer (Wishfull thinking)....I think we are pretty much going to be in another tanking season next year....I don't see any rookies outside of Flagg/Harper turning this team into even a lock for a play in spot....Defense is way 2 bad...And not enough 3 point shooting on a regular basis...

Might be best to tank again next year. Only real risk is Scottie demanding out, and presumably we can mollify him by firing Darko and being aggressive in the summer of 2026.

Poeltl-Maluach-Chomche
Barnes-Mogbo
TRADE-Agbaji-Battle
2026TOR-Walter
Quickley-Shead-PDX 2nd

and we have at least 35M in RJ expiring and Gradey + 2026 INDY (don't hurt future pick flexibility) and say another future 1st or two of ours, to turn into a a legit good player via trade. Maybe even a 50M+ guy if we use the non-tax MLE and throw that guy into the deal.

[Nature]

Our tank has me watching so many Cooper Flagg videos. Heartbreaking when you realize there's a high likelihood he doesn't end up on the Raps come draft night.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Drafting Malauch kinda ensures another tanking season. I think some rookies can come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely a long term prospect.

A long term project in the top 8 is bad decision making, I’m sorry. Pretty much taking a guy who currently isn’t great at anything and hoping you can make him a great basketball player. Would absolutely be a flop of a pick barring some miraculous development story

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Also if we are still in the bottom 5 after next season we might as well start looking at moving IQ and Barnes even because they’d be getting massively overpaid if all they can produce is lottery balls as a core

[RoteSchroder]

Our tank has me watching so many Cooper Flagg videos. Heartbreaking when you realize there's a high likelihood he doesn't end up on the Raps come draft night.

I’m not used to being a front runner, so I’m fine with no Flagg. My sights are set on Kasparas atm, but I’m not sure Masai has the balls to move on from the current core (IQ, RJ) if necessary.

[RoteSchroder]

Drafting Malauch kinda ensures another tanking season. I think some rookies can come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely a long term prospect.

A long term project in the top 8 is bad decision making, I’m sorry. Pretty much taking a guy who currently isn’t great at anything and hoping you can make him a great basketball player. Would absolutely be a flop of a pick barring some miraculous development story

I agree with that, but I also think it depends on the layout of the draft. E.g. in last year’s sucky draft, I wouldn’t mind take on a project in the top 8

At the same time, if a project’s floor is ok, then there’s nothing wrong with drafting them in the top 8. E.g. Suggs offensively was a bit of a project

In terms of Maluach, I would like to see if he can provide 1) mobile defense, 2) rebound/box out, 3) finish near the rim at the NBA level. If he can fit a Lively role while working on on his offense, he could be worth drafting, barring any red flags, like being unable to process the game quickly.

[Jerry Lucas]

Kasparas and Tomislav lit up Indiana in the 1st half.

[mtcan]

Any buzz surrounding this guy?

Watch on YouTube

He can shoot it, pass it, block shots and take guys off the dribble. I'm impressed with his IQ.

[ForeverTFC]

Our tank has me watching so many Cooper Flagg videos. Heartbreaking when you realize there's a high likelihood he doesn't end up on the Raps come draft night.

I’m not used to being a front runner, so I’m fine with no Flagg. My sights are set on Kasparas atm, but I’m not sure Masai has the balls to move on from the current core (IQ, RJ) if necessary.

Masai has never once included RJ when discussing our core. It's always been Scottie and IQ.

[Syd-TK3]

Any buzz surrounding this guy?

Watch on YouTube

He can shoot it, pass it, block shots and take guys off the dribble. I'm impressed with his IQ.

Was just watching him yesterday I was shocked to hear he's legit 7ft

[Son Goku 25]

I think if it really came down to it, it would suck but Scottie would need to swallow his pride if we tank next season too. Either he comes in and says f it and I'm gonna go all out (which he should be anyways) and prove I'm good enough with current team or just continue as is and guarantee another potential star next season.

I'm sure SGA didn't feel great either but he's way better than Scottie and he put up with it, FO gotta deliver though and keep team sane without creating bad habits.

[LoveMyRaps]

Any buzz surrounding this guy?

Watch on YouTube

He can shoot it, pass it, block shots and take guys off the dribble. I'm impressed with his IQ.

A guy named Wolf playing for the Michigan Wolverines... Means he's destined to end up on the Minnesota Timberwolves

[DreamTeam09]

I think if it really came down to it, it would suck but Scottie would need to swallow his pride if we tank next season too. Either he comes in and says f it and I'm gonna go all out (which he should be anyways) and prove I'm good enough with current team or just continue as is and guarantee another potential star next season.

I'm sure SGA didn't feel great either but he's way better than Scottie and he put up with it, FO gotta deliver though and keep team sane without creating bad habits.

We shouldn't even be tanking like this this year, reply this szn 100 times it doesn't look like this, you add a lottery pick to this group and I assure we are not in this predicament next szn

[LoveMyRaps]

Read on Twitter

[RoteSchroder]

Our tank has me watching so many Cooper Flagg videos. Heartbreaking when you realize there's a high likelihood he doesn't end up on the Raps come draft night.

I’m not used to being a front runner, so I’m fine with no Flagg. My sights are set on Kasparas atm, but I’m not sure Masai has the balls to move on from the current core (IQ, RJ) if necessary.

Masai has never once included RJ when discussing our core. It's always been Scottie and IQ.

yeah, but all media members and staff talk and act like RJ is a part of the core and the Raptor's "big 3"

How do the rules work in terms of what Ujiri considers/doesn't consider as a core? does he need to explicitly say it or something?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/rj-barrett-stats-canada-olympics-raptors/7b4ef7b0e3e292fd5cbc488f

Barrett recently turned 24 and, as indicated numerous times by team president Masai Ujiri, is a key piece of the Raptors core for the future.

I haven't listened to every interview, so I'm not sure when he only emphasizes IQ/Scottie and leaves out Barrett (do u got a link?), but was it during when they were signing new contracts?

From what I've heard, I think he's only explicitly mentioned building around Scottie. Not sure if he's ever said anything like "IQ is our core"

[Brinbe]

Jak def making a play for that third spot. Consistency is hard to ignore and we just saw that the team wasn't nearly the same without him.