2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[Brinbe]

IQ/Ingram/RJ-Ochai-Walter-Gradey-Battle are all fine from long range and Shead showed some improvement in the latter months.

Using last year's numbers doesn't make sense since most of our roster was in and out and that's not including Ingram.

The issue is in the frontcourt with Scottie/Yak and then Mogbo all not being even average from range, whereas most decent teams will have at least one of those guys being a good long-range threat, ideally both like the Celtics with Horford/KP or Pacers with Siakam/Turner. Boucher would help a bit from the bench, but don't think he'll be back.

Kon is a great shooter, no doubt, and I'd welcome his addition, but he doesn't solve the spacing issues with that front court, unless Scottie somehow goes back to his output from the fall of 2023.

It sucks that they run all these DHO actions with Yak and then he can't even make teams pay for playing the receiver leaving him wide open up top.

[TheDunc]

IQ/Ingram/RJ-Ochai-Walter-Gradey-Battle are all fine from long range and Shead showed some improvement in the latter months.

Using last year's numbers doesn't make sense since most of our roster was in and out and that's not including Ingram.

The issue is in the frontcourt with Scottie/Yak and then Mogbo all not being even average from range, whereas most decent teams will have at least one of those guys being a good long-range threat, ideally both like the Celtics with Horford/KP or Pacers with Siakam/Turner. Boucher would help a bit from the bench, but don't think he'll be back.

Kon is a great shooter, no doubt, and I'd welcome his addition, but he doesn't solve the spacing issues with that front court, unless Scottie somehow goes back to his output from the fall of 2023.

It sucks that they run all these DHO actions with Yak and then he can't even make teams pay for playing the receiver leaving him wide open up top.

Seems like Flemming would be a good option then, he's kind of a tweener but with his wingspan no doubt he can guard bigmen and he's stretches the floor.

[Yallbecrazy]

Maluach's ability to step out and defend on the perimeter and switch against wings and some guards is a hell of a lot more important NBA sign than his blk%

Having a slow footed big who can only play drop coverage limits your defensive potential.

cool, where are his steals then from defending on the perimeter?

It's a lot more important for him to stick to his man, than to try and reach in on a quicker player that's a ft smaller than him.

There's a reason he's been able to guard both in the paint and on the perimeter without fouling at a high rate.

Couldn't he use his length to get some deflections or steals on passes?

For his dBPM which tends to overrate bigs who get lots of defensive rebounds why did he have the 3rd worst on the team of the 10 guys who played more than 150 minutes on the season?

[BoyzNTheHood]

He’s a no brainer. We were at the bottom in 3’s last season. We still need major help. I think he would ideally be the best hybrid of BPA and Need

Thats a win at 9

How's his defense? Is he projected to just be a 3 Point specialist?

Decent. Not a stopper and not the fastest feet, but he's got good size and strength. He was a positive defensive player in college, but he was playing with Flagg and KM, so who knows how he'll be without that kind of defensive backline

I’d say closer to Klay Thompson than Corey Kispert.

[OakleyDokely]

cool, where are his steals then from defending on the perimeter?

It's a lot more important for him to stick to his man, than to try and reach in on a quicker player that's a ft smaller than him.

There's a reason he's been able to guard both in the paint and on the perimeter without fouling at a high rate.

Couldn't he use his length to get some deflections or steals on passes?

For his dBPM which tends to overrate bigs who get lots of defensive rebounds why did he have the 3rd worst on the team of the 10 guys who played more than 150 minutes on the season?

I mean, he's an 18 year old, who's played half a decade worth of basketball in his life competing against mostly older guys who've been playing since they were 3 years old.

He isn't close to being a finished product and you'd be betting on further development, but the poise and skills he displayed at a very high level of competition is a good sign for future success.

[WuTang_OG]

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[WuTang_OG]

Wonder if TOR would get in on this

Another buzzy name tied to the Spurs is Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center out of Duke. The Spurs could essentially be building twin towers with Wembanyama and Maluach and there is an appeal to drafting another young big that can learn and grow alongside Wembanyama. It would be very unlikely that the Spurs would shock everyone and take Maluach with the No. 2 pick but they could be looking to trade down or package the No. 14 pick for a shot at the talented center.

in ter rest ing

Crickets on Kasparas Jakucionis…. Does He Have a Promise?
It’s very unusual to not hear anything about a player heading into the draft. When there are no rumors, no discussion of draft range or workouts, it typically smells like a team has made a promise. It’s both sides holding their cards close and not leaking anything. The player this year is 6-foot-6 Illinois guard Jakucionis. There hasn’t been a single word out on him. His draft range is anywhere from 6-16 and there’s a feeling that he left the draft combine with a promise. The Hawks could be targeting a bigger backup point guard to Trae Young and they’re sitting at No. 13. He could also go as high at No. 6 to Charlotte to bring some size in the backcourt. The Hornets kept things very quiet all the way up until draft day last year when they surprised a lot of people and selected Tidjan Salaun and Jakucionis could be another player they are quietly targeting this year.

[Brinbe]

IQ/Ingram/RJ-Ochai-Walter-Gradey-Battle are all fine from long range and Shead showed some improvement in the latter months.

Using last year's numbers doesn't make sense since most of our roster was in and out and that's not including Ingram.

The issue is in the frontcourt with Scottie/Yak and then Mogbo all not being even average from range, whereas most decent teams will have at least one of those guys being a good long-range threat, ideally both like the Celtics with Horford/KP or Pacers with Siakam/Turner. Boucher would help a bit from the bench, but don't think he'll be back.

Kon is a great shooter, no doubt, and I'd welcome his addition, but he doesn't solve the spacing issues with that front court, unless Scottie somehow goes back to his output from the fall of 2023.

It sucks that they run all these DHO actions with Yak and then he can't even make teams pay for playing the receiver leaving him wide open up top.

Seems like Flemming would be a good option then, he's kind of a tweener but with his wingspan no doubt he can guard bigmen and he's stretches the floor.

Wouldn't mind that selection at all. He's gonna be a solid pro

[DreamTeam09]

Maluach's ability to step out and defend on the perimeter and switch against wings and some guards is a hell of a lot more important NBA sign than his blk%

Having a slow footed big who can only play drop coverage limits your defensive potential.

cool, where are his steals then from defending on the perimeter?

Do C's normally rack up steals ?

[Psubs]

Maluach's ability to step out and defend on the perimeter and switch against wings and some guards is a hell of a lot more important NBA sign than his blk%

Having a slow footed big who can only play drop coverage limits your defensive potential.

cool, where are his steals then from defending on the perimeter?

Do C's normally rack up steals ?

Draymond an Demarcus Cousins come to mind. I think Rasheer Fleming would get them too.

Maluach waives his arms and he doesn't have a great blocks/foul.

[WuTang_OG]

I hope Kon does fall

I would take him in a heartbeat

[Jstock12]

He’s a no brainer. We were at the bottom in 3’s last season. We still need major help. I think he would ideally be the best hybrid of BPA and Need

Thats a win at 9

How's his defense? Is he projected to just be a 3 Point specialist?

underrated. hes stocky, so not like Dick lol

Dick with some girth seems pretty good.

[dohboy_24]

Why not use the block percentage of the top 10 NBA block leaders in their freshman year?

1 - Kessler - 10.7%
2 - Holmgren - 12.6%
3 - AD - 13.7%
4 - Turner - 12.3%
5 - Lopez - 4.9%
6 - Gafford - 11.5%
7 - R. Williams - 10.6%
8 - Clingan - 14.3%
9 - I. Jackson - 12.7%
10 - Lively - 12.7%

Maluach - 6.8%

Unless Maluach is a complete outlier like Lopez, history is against him becoming an elite rim protector... and Maluach's whole appeal is defense/rim protecting. It's hard to get excited about a giant who is bad at his supposed "elite" skill. Maluach is a do not draft for me.

As I said earlier, the ability to protect the rim and defend the paint >>>> number of blocks or blk%, but given the stats you've noted - what was the block percentages for those players when they were a rookie in the NBA and how does that compare to their numbers this season, last season and the year before?

Walker Kessler had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2022-23) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.8% last year (2023-24).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/walker-kessler-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Chet Holmgren had a block percentage of 1.5% in his rookie year (2023-24) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.2%.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/chet-holmgren-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Anthony Davis had a block percentage of 5.6% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.5%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/anthony-davis-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Myles Turner had a block percentage of 5.7% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 6.0%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.3% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/myles-turner-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Brook Lopez had a block percentage of 4.6% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.3% last year (2023-24) and 1.3% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/brook-lopez-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Daniel Gafford had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2019-20) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.1%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.5% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/daniel-gafford-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Robert Williams III had a block percentage of 12.5% in his rookie year (2018-19) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.5%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/robert-williams-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Donovan Clingan had a block percentage of 7.5% in his rookie year (2024-25).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/donovan-clingan-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Isaiah Jackson had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2021-22) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.6%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.3% last year (2023-24) and 1.5% the year before (2022-23).

Dereck Lively II had a block percentage of 1.0% in his rookie year (2023-24) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.7%.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/dereck-lively-ii-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

As evidenced by these players and their block percentages throughout their careers, Brook Lopez isn't the only player to increase his block percentage rate and/or improve his ability to protect the rim.

If they can improve to such degrees, why can't Khaman Maluach do the same... especially when you consider the number of year's he's been playing and room for him to improve as he continues to develop?

[XTC]

Why not use the block percentage of the top 10 NBA block leaders in their freshman year?

1 - Kessler - 10.7%
2 - Holmgren - 12.6%
3 - AD - 13.7%
4 - Turner - 12.3%
5 - Lopez - 4.9%
6 - Gafford - 11.5%
7 - R. Williams - 10.6%
8 - Clingan - 14.3%
9 - I. Jackson - 12.7%
10 - Lively - 12.7%

Maluach - 6.8%

Unless Maluach is a complete outlier like Lopez, history is against him becoming an elite rim protector... and Maluach's whole appeal is defense/rim protecting. It's hard to get excited about a giant who is bad at his supposed "elite" skill. Maluach is a do not draft for me.

As I said earlier, the ability to protect the rim and defend the paint >>>> number of blocks or blk%, but given the stats you've noted - what was the block percentages for those players when they were a rookie in the NBA and how does that compare to their numbers this season, last season and the year before?

Walker Kessler had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2022-23) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.8% last year (2023-24).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/walker-kessler-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Chet Holmgren had a block percentage of 1.5% in his rookie year (2023-24) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.2%.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/chet-holmgren-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Anthony Davis had a block percentage of 5.6% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.5%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/anthony-davis-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Myles Turner had a block percentage of 5.7% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 6.0%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.3% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/myles-turner-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Brook Lopez had a block percentage of 4.6% in his rookie year (2017-18) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.3% last year (2023-24) and 1.3% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/brook-lopez-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Daniel Gafford had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2019-20) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.1%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.5% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/daniel-gafford-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Robert Williams III had a block percentage of 12.5% in his rookie year (2018-19) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.5%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.1% last year (2023-24) and 1.0% the year before (2022-23).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/robert-williams-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

Donovan Clingan had a block percentage of 7.5% in his rookie year (2024-25).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/donovan-clingan-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Isaiah Jackson had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2021-22) and this year, he had a block percentage of 8.6%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.3% last year (2023-24) and 1.5% the year before (2022-23).

Dereck Lively II had a block percentage of 1.0% in his rookie year (2023-24) and this year, he had a block percentage of 5.7%.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/dereck-lively-ii-player-stats?seasonType=reg&category=advanced

As evidenced by these players and their block percentages throughout their careers, Brook Lopez isn't the only player to increase his block percentage rate and/or improve his ability to protect the rim.

If they can improve to such degrees, why can't Khaman Maluach do the same... especially when you consider the number of year's he's been playing and room for him to improve as he continues to develop?

Im not sure where you're getting your stats from, but I'll be using www.basketball-reference.com

Here's the block percentage in their rookie years

1 - Kessler - 8.6%
2 - Holmgren - 7.3%
3 - AD - 5.1%
4 - Turner - 5.1%
5 - Lopez - 4.9%
6 - Gafford - 8.7%
7 - R. Williams - 12.5%
8 - Clingan - 7.5%
9 - I. Jackson - 8.4%
10 - Lively - 5.2%

If Maluach is struggling to block shots at the college level, how do you think hes going to fare in the NBA where everyone is bigger, and more athletic? Yes hes massive, but his lack of athleticism is going to be exploited big time.

Also the question isnt about improving. Rebounding and shot blocking are two of the more transferable skills from college to NBA. The top 10 leaders (minus Lopez) where great rim protectors and shot blockers in college. I'm not denying Maluach was a good defensive player at the college level, but he was a mediocre shot blocker/rim protector at the college level. His "switchability" might work at the college level, but his combine athletic testing was bottom 5 bad, his switchability becomes less intriguing at the NBA level. I also have other concerns with him, he has high hips, hes stiff, so I doubt he gets anymore explosive than what hes showing now, and quite frankly he has horrible defensive instincts. The guys above where either top tier athletes, or they had good defensive fundamentals.

Maluach fans im honestly asking you guys, are you really expecting fans to be excited for a massive giant, who is slow footed, can't shoot, isnt a dominating shot blocker at the college level... because he has this imaginary jump shot potential, he has switchability, and because his shot blocking was held back by Duke's defensive schemes?

[WuTang_OG]

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[dohboy_24]

Walker Kessler had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2022-23) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.8% last year (2023-24).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/walker-kessler-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Im not sure where you're getting your stats from, but I'll be using www.basketball-reference.com

LOL... do you not see the link to FoxSports I've referred to for each player (see Walker Kessler above)?

[XTC]

Walker Kessler had a block percentage of 1.7% in his rookie year (2022-23) and this year, he had a block percentage of 7.4%. Before this season, he had a block percentage of 1.8% last year (2023-24).
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/walker-kessler-player-stats?category=advanced&seasonType=reg

Im not sure where you're getting your stats from, but I'll be using www.basketball-reference.com

LOL... do you not see the link to FoxSports I've referred to for each player (see Walker Kessler above)?

Their stats are off, and wrong

According to your source rookie Walker Kessler (just 1 of the examples) who had a BPG of 2.3 in 23 minutes had a block percentage of 1.7 percent. For reference Agbaji (0.5 BPG) had a block percentage of 1.6 percent this last season.

Rookie Kessler had a block percentage of 8.6%, and just this past season had a block percentage of 7.4% according to www.basketball-reference.com , and that's a far more legitimate source.

All these guys where elite shot blockers/rim protectors from day 1, and all of them where better shotblockers/rim protectord than Maluach at the college level. Maluach wasn't even the best defender on Duke (Maliq Brown).

[Dalek]

He’s a no brainer. We were at the bottom in 3’s last season. We still need major help. I think he would ideally be the best hybrid of BPA and Need

Thats a win at 9

How's his defense? Is he projected to just be a 3 Point specialist?

underrated. hes stocky, so not like Dick lol

Kon is different than Gradey as he is heavier and more of a grinder type. Gradey is way more athletic.

That said, Kon is a killer and does everything at a good level with elite shooting. Why can't he be the next Austin Reaves? Be that tertiary star who plays off others well.

Maybe Gradey can do it to, but he seems more inconsistent so more of a 6 man.

[WuTang_OG]

How's his defense? Is he projected to just be a 3 Point specialist?

underrated. hes stocky, so not like Dick lol

Kon is different than Gradey as he is heavier and more of a grinder type. Gradey is way more athletic.

That said, Kon is a killer and does everything at a good level with elite shooting. Why can't he be the next Austin Reaves? Be that tertiary star who plays off others well.

Maybe Gradey can do it to, but he seems more inconsistent so more of a 6 man.

Gradey's issue is his lack of size. He hasn't grown into his body yet. It will still take time and once that happens he hopefully should be at least neutral on defense cuz he's alert and has an IQ out there. The offense will come for him but the inconsistencies on both ends are due to his body.

[tanuki1031]

How's his defense? Is he projected to just be a 3 Point specialist?

underrated. hes stocky, so not like Dick lol

Kon is different than Gradey as he is heavier and more of a grinder type. Gradey is way more athletic.

That said, Kon is a killer and does everything at a good level with elite shooting. Why can't he be the next Austin Reaves? Be that tertiary star who plays off others well.

Maybe Gradey can do it to, but he seems more inconsistent so more of a 6 man.

I'm warming up to Kon at #9 if he slips to us.

50% of defense is effort and by all account Kon is a dog.

We need to remember that at #9 in this draft we're more likely than not hoping for a solid rotation player not necessarily a franchise star.

Kon seems like a guy with the size and skills to fit right in with what we're trying to do.