2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 3

[dohboy_24]

We should play it safe and just draft Maluach, it might be a reach at 7-9 but it gives us a lob threat, potential stretch big, and defensive monster. 48 minutes of good C play would be lethal in the NBA, especially the way we're seeing it now. Poeltl, Maluach, Barnes, and Mogbo should give us an elite defensive team.

Maluach has a standing reach similar to Wemby. We all saw how Wemby affects shots around the rim and Maluach is very similar. There's also a semblance of a shot that can be developed and he's already a good FT shooter. I am starting to have him in my top 7 because of these physical tools combined with him not playing basketball for a very long time.

I think he's the safest pick and the upside is evident. He's a key reason South Sudan challenged the US in the Olympics and had a competitive game.

Agreed, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was selected at #6 and was already off the board by the time we chose a player outside of the top 6 picks...

#1 - Flagg
#2 - Harper
#3 - Bailey
#4 - Edgecombe
#5 - Jackucionis
#6 - Maluach

With those players off the board, I'd much rather trade down to get 2 picks than choose one of Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Noa Essengue, Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell, or Derik Queen with the #7 or #8 pick.

Even though Newell or Queen would be the next players I'd take off the board, I'd rather trade down, get 2 picks and walk away with any combination of players I mentioned earlier than just end up landing either of them.

[Kevin Willis]

Very abnormal, and pretty special

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I am a fan of the kid. The handle is so advanced and he has great feel for the game. I think he is going to be a steal if picked later in the first.

Unfortunately you know the drill. Players that were ranked too low for most of the season shoot up around draft time. He will probably go lottery and considered a steal or surprise pick when he deserves to be there. Happens every year.

[Rapsfan07]

The good news about this draft is there appears to be a good quality Bigs & PG prospects outside of the top 6 picks. This draft will be a W no matter where we pick I believe.

Agreed. Beyond the top 6 picks, there are still lots of interesting prospects in the first round, many of which will still be on the board after the lottery:

Guards - Jeremiah Fears, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Jase Richardson, Labaron Philon, Boogie Fland, Ian Jackson
Wings - Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley
Forwards - Collin Murray-Boyles, Rasheer Fleming, Adou Thiero
Bigs - Khaman Maluach, Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Thomas Sorber, Danny Wolf, Alex Condon

Considering the number of teams in the first round with multiple picks, there could be quite a few options to trade with if we want to pick more than one of the above-noted players in the first round.

Oklahoma City Thunder - #16, #17
Brooklyn Nets - #22, #23, #27
Orlando Magic - #15, #25
Atlanta Hawks - #14, #26

While I don't care too much for the wings available in this draft, we could trade down with one of these teams, pick up an extra pick (or two) and use them to choose one of the following combinations of players:

#1 - a 3+D forward (CMB, Fleming, Thiero) + a big (Sorber, Condon, Wolf)
#2 - a tall, pass-first guard (Traore, Denim, Saraf) + a big (Sorber, Condon, Wolf)
#3 - a quick, shoot-first guard (Fears, Philon, Fland, Richardson, Jackson) + a big (Sorber, Condon, Wolf)
#4 - 2 bigs (Sorber, Condon, Wolf)

I agree. Not too interested in the wings in this draft because a) they don't project to be great other than Bailey and Flagg, b) we already have a ton of them; no reason to add to the glut of wings unless one of them project to be really good and c) we already have two all-star caliber types at those forward spots.

Short of a player who projects to be a stat (regardless of position), I would be looking at even picking up three players from this draft. A two way guard, forward and C. Right now I'd be heavily considering Fleming, RIchardson and Condon. I believe those three guys will return more value than the 8th pick will on it's own.

I have Thiero as my sleeper as well. If we're able to grab him and put him in the 905, that would be huge for the talent pipeline. If he develops a 3 point shot, he's going to be a high quality NBA player.

[Thaddy]

We should play it safe and just draft Maluach, it might be a reach at 7-9 but it gives us a lob threat, potential stretch big, and defensive monster. 48 minutes of good C play would be lethal in the NBA, especially the way we're seeing it now. Poeltl, Maluach, Barnes, and Mogbo should give us an elite defensive team.

Maluach has a standing reach similar to Wemby. We all saw how Wemby affects shots around the rim and Maluach is very similar. There's also a semblance of a shot that can be developed and he's already a good FT shooter. I am starting to have him in my top 7 because of these physical tools combined with him not playing basketball for a very long time.

I think he's the safest pick and the upside is evident. He's a key reason South Sudan challenged the US in the Olympics and had a competitive game.

Agreed, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was selected at #6 and was already off the board by the time we chose a player outside of the top 6 picks...

#1 - Flagg
#2 - Harper
#3 - Bailey
#4 - Edgecombe
#5 - Jackucionis
#6 - Maluach

With those players off the board, I'd much rather trade down to get 2 picks than choose one of Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Noa Essengue, Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell, or Derik Queen with the #7 or #8 pick.

Even though Newell or Queen would be the next players I'd take off the board, I'd rather trade down, get 2 picks and walk away with any combination of players I mentioned earlier than just end up landing either of them.

If that happens we would get Johnson to drop to us. That's pretty damn good man. I have Johnson as an elite scorer in the NBA he's one of the best pull up shooters in college right now and ahead of the top 3 in that part of the game.

[DreamTeam09]

We should play it safe and just draft Maluach, it might be a reach at 7-9 but it gives us a lob threat, potential stretch big, and defensive monster. 48 minutes of good C play would be lethal in the NBA, especially the way we're seeing it now. Poeltl, Maluach, Barnes, and Mogbo should give us an elite defensive team.

Maluach has a standing reach similar to Wemby. We all saw how Wemby affects shots around the rim and Maluach is very similar. There's also a semblance of a shot that can be developed and he's already a good FT shooter. I am starting to have him in my top 7 because of these physical tools combined with him not playing basketball for a very long time.

I think he's the safest pick and the upside is evident. He's a key reason South Sudan challenged the US in the Olympics and had a competitive game.

Last game Jakob was a +14 in 24 minutes
Orlando was a -13 in 24mins
We won the game by 1

Not to say that it's all Robinson's fault, but this team functions better with a good functional C

[Thaddy]

We should play it safe and just draft Maluach, it might be a reach at 7-9 but it gives us a lob threat, potential stretch big, and defensive monster. 48 minutes of good C play would be lethal in the NBA, especially the way we're seeing it now. Poeltl, Maluach, Barnes, and Mogbo should give us an elite defensive team.

Maluach has a standing reach similar to Wemby. We all saw how Wemby affects shots around the rim and Maluach is very similar. There's also a semblance of a shot that can be developed and he's already a good FT shooter. I am starting to have him in my top 7 because of these physical tools combined with him not playing basketball for a very long time.

I think he's the safest pick and the upside is evident. He's a key reason South Sudan challenged the US in the Olympics and had a competitive game.

Last game Jakob was a +14 in 24 minutes
Orlando was a -13 in 24mins
We won the game by 1

Not to say that it's all Robinson's fault, but this team functions better with a good functional C

Yeah Maluach could make an instant impact and get minutes right away next year as a 19. Wemby doesn't have official measurements and he's probably an inch or 2 taller than Maluach. Wemby has a reported wingspan of 8 feet and I don't buy it. I think him and Maluach have a similar standing reach.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7DMl7RkfrY4

He's also 250lbs despite looking under developed, he has a huge frame that could easily add another 10-30lbs depending on how mobile we want him to be.

A stretch version of Rudy Gobert would make this team great. I like how the team is looking to make a strong defensive front court and get offense from the perimeter. This is the type of build that would become a contender, the whole 6'9 idea was pretty bad.

[PD28]

Very abnormal, and pretty special

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I am a fan of the kid. The handle is so advanced and he has great feel for the game. I think he is going to be a steal if picked later in the first.

Unfortunately you know the drill. Players that were ranked too low for most of the season shoot up around draft time. He will probably go lottery and considered a steal or surprise pick when he deserves to be there. Happens every year.

If we draft him, he'd be our most offensively gifted player we have draft in like a decade. His floor looks like Jordan Clarkson and only 18.

[RoteSchroder]

Feels like this draft is gonna have a few guys in the lower rounds pop out of no where. Thoughts on the 1-15 range:

Consensus top 5
Cooper
Dylan
VJ
Ace
Tre

Depends...
Thiam - high upside, depends on if he declares
Condon - strong upside, depends on future performance
Maluach - high upside, but lacks production in certain categories. Not a big fan tbh, but he's underutilized, so who knows
Fears - Could be a dynamic guard. Feels like he might struggle with on-ball shooting in the NBA, but the ball-handling skills and driving ability is there
CMB - Strong 2-way player who needs a jumper and to transition to a wing
Jase - depends on future performance, probably not the player for us though

Outside chance
Traore - that shot needs work
Danny Wolf - ? on defense. I'd give him serious consideration if it turns out his D is not that bad

May be solid, but ultimately boring/non-sexy picks
Asa Newell
Derik Queen
Thomas Sorber
Noa Essengue - the length and athletic profile is nice, but he doesn't have much on-ball/self-creation ability outside of catch+drive, transition, and straight line drives
Rasheer Fleming - looks like a pure role player, could be an elite role player though
JT Toppin - not too familiar with him, but seems like another role player

Out of the convo atm
Kasparas - With Ingram, RJ and IQ, on-ball offense is less needed..his value was in shooting consistency and it's dropped off
McNeeley - not a fan of high floor low upside players, even if they're serviceable
Kon Knueppel - same as above
Egor - worse situation than Kasp with his scoring
Ben Saraf - don't know enough, but lack of 3 point shooting, athleticism and defense is too much for me

[S.W.A.N]

Feels like this draft is gonna have a few guys in the lower rounds pop out of no where. Thoughts on the 1-15 range:

Consensus top 5
Cooper
Dylan
VJ
Ace
Tre

Depends...
Thiam - high upside, depends on if he declares
Condon - strong upside, depends on future performance
Maluach - high upside, but lacks production in certain categories. Not a big fan tbh, but he's underutilized, so who knows
Fears - Could be a dynamic guard. Feels like he might struggle with on-ball shooting in the NBA, but the ball-handling skills and driving ability is there
CMB - Strong 2-way player who needs a jumper and to transition to a wing
Jase - depends on future performance, probably not the player for us though

Outside chance
Traore - that shot needs work
Danny Wolf - ? on defense. I'd give him serious consideration if it turns out his D is not that bad

May be solid, but ultimately boring/non-sexy picks
Asa Newell
Derik Queen
Thomas Sorber
Noa Essengue - the length and athletic profile is nice, but he doesn't have much on-ball/self-creation ability outside of catch+drive, transition, and straight line drives
Rasheer Fleming - looks like a pure role player, could be an elite role player though
JT Toppin - not too familiar with him, but seems like another role player

Out of the convo atm
Kasparas - With Ingram, RJ and IQ, on-ball offense is less needed..his value was in shooting consistency and it's dropped off
McNeeley - not a fan of high floor low upside players, even if they're serviceable
Kon Knueppel - same as above
Egor - worse situation than Kasp with his scoring
Ben Saraf - don't know enough, but lack of 3 point shooting, athleticism and defense is too much for me

Kasp fits fine with our team. His positional size and shooting would fit nicely. Also would probably be in one of the first tiers talent wise so if he dropped to us at 7-8-9 then he's absolutely on the table as a pick. An as of now he's a consensus top 5 not Tre. Although that might change by draft. EIther way it looks like the top 6 absolutely has Jak in it.

[RoteSchroder]

Feels like this draft is gonna have a few guys in the lower rounds pop out of no where. Thoughts on the 1-15 range:

Consensus top 5
Cooper
Dylan
VJ
Ace
Tre

Depends...
Thiam - high upside, depends on if he declares
Condon - strong upside, depends on future performance
Maluach - high upside, but lacks production in certain categories. Not a big fan tbh, but he's underutilized, so who knows
Fears - Could be a dynamic guard. Feels like he might struggle with on-ball shooting in the NBA, but the ball-handling skills and driving ability is there
CMB - Strong 2-way player who needs a jumper and to transition to a wing
Jase - depends on future performance, probably not the player for us though

Outside chance
Traore - that shot needs work
Danny Wolf - ? on defense. I'd give him serious consideration if it turns out his D is not that bad

May be solid, but ultimately boring/non-sexy picks
Asa Newell
Derik Queen
Thomas Sorber
Noa Essengue - the length and athletic profile is nice, but he doesn't have much on-ball/self-creation ability outside of catch+drive, transition, and straight line drives
Rasheer Fleming - looks like a pure role player, could be an elite role player though
JT Toppin - not too familiar with him, but seems like another role player

Out of the convo atm
Kasparas - With Ingram, RJ and IQ, on-ball offense is less needed..his value was in shooting consistency and it's dropped off
McNeeley - not a fan of high floor low upside players, even if they're serviceable
Kon Knueppel - same as above
Egor - worse situation than Kasp with his scoring
Ben Saraf - don't know enough, but lack of 3 point shooting, athleticism and defense is too much for me

Kasp fits fine with our team. His positional size and shooting would fit nicely. Also would probably be in one of the first tiers talent wise so if he dropped to us at 7-8-9 then he's absolutely on the table as a pick. An as of now he's a consensus top 5 not Tre. Although that might change by draft. EIther way it looks like the top 6 absolutely has Jak in it.

he's been gradually dropping on a lot of mocks and many ppl here don't like him

Essentially, if he's not an elite scorer or shooter, then I kind of don't see the point considering his athletic profile and defense aren't above average. There's no point in an on-ball guard who struggles to score. I'd hope for a poor man's Harden/mini-Doncic archetype, don't know if he'll get there though. If he turns into Podz level, I'd say that would be disappointing.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Ace had like 3 great games and he's consensus top 5? Nah man, he's still had a weak season for a hyped prospect.

[Psubs]

he's been gradually dropping on a lot of mocks and many ppl here don't like him

Essentially, if he's not an elite scorer or shooter, then I kind of don't see the point considering his athletic profile and defense aren't above average. There's no point in an on-ball guard who struggles to score. I'd hope for a poor man's Harden/mini-Doncic archetype, don't know if he'll get there though. If he turns into Podz level, I'd say that would be disappointing.

Right, I'm not sure he can take playing time away from Shead or Jakobe. Masai really did hit on 4 picks after the lottery.

[Psubs]

Ace had like 3 great games and he's consensus top 5? Nah man, he's still had a weak season for a hyped prospect.

Where would you draft a Rashard Lewis in this draft?

Flagg
Tre/VJ
VJ/Tre
Harper
Rashard Lewis (Ace Bailey)

Then teams could start to draft for need since I view it flattens out.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Feels like this draft is gonna have a few guys in the lower rounds pop out of no where. Thoughts on the 1-15 range:

Consensus top 5
Cooper
Dylan
VJ
Ace
Tre

Depends...
Thiam - high upside, depends on if he declares
Condon - strong upside, depends on future performance
Maluach - high upside, but lacks production in certain categories. Not a big fan tbh, but he's underutilized, so who knows
Fears - Could be a dynamic guard. Feels like he might struggle with on-ball shooting in the NBA, but the ball-handling skills and driving ability is there
CMB - Strong 2-way player who needs a jumper and to transition to a wing
Jase - depends on future performance, probably not the player for us though

Outside chance
Traore - that shot needs work
Danny Wolf - ? on defense. I'd give him serious consideration if it turns out his D is not that bad

May be solid, but ultimately boring/non-sexy picks
Asa Newell
Derik Queen
Thomas Sorber
Noa Essengue - the length and athletic profile is nice, but he doesn't have much on-ball/self-creation ability outside of catch+drive, transition, and straight line drives
Rasheer Fleming - looks like a pure role player, could be an elite role player though
JT Toppin - not too familiar with him, but seems like another role player

Out of the convo atm
Kasparas - With Ingram, RJ and IQ, on-ball offense is less needed..his value was in shooting consistency and it's dropped off
McNeeley - not a fan of high floor low upside players, even if they're serviceable
Kon Knueppel - same as above
Egor - worse situation than Kasp with his scoring
Ben Saraf - don't know enough, but lack of 3 point shooting, athleticism and defense is too much for me

Kasp fits fine with our team. His positional size and shooting would fit nicely. Also would probably be in one of the first tiers talent wise so if he dropped to us at 7-8-9 then he's absolutely on the table as a pick. An as of now he's a consensus top 5 not Tre. Although that might change by draft. EIther way it looks like the top 6 absolutely has Jak in it.

he's been gradually dropping on a lot of mocks and many ppl here don't like him

Essentially, if he's not an elite scorer or shooter, then I kind of don't see the point considering his athletic profile and defense aren't above average. There's no point in an on-ball guard who struggles to score. I'd hope for a poor man's Harden/mini-Doncic archetype, don't know if he'll get there though. If he turns into Podz level, I'd say that would be disappointing.

Do you understand how good Brandin Podziemski is? He's one of the top guard defenders in the league as a 2nd year player and has all the potential in the world for his offense to catch up over the next 2-3 years. There's a reason he's starting on a team with championship aspirations surrounded by NBA legends who all like him and understand he is a winner.

Also hyping Thiam is sad.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Also Kon is very much a great basketball player. His athleticism probably holds him back from a Korver type career but I will still have him relatively high. Lights out shooting potential and isn't a paperweight on defense. Supposedly he's crazy and an elite competitor too. Duke's team essentially said that if they were to go to war Kon would be on the front lines going **** crazy.

I was talking to his mom earlier in the year his whole family are major basketball junkies and preseason he looked like the best player on the team according to many.

[Psubs]

Also hyping Thiam is sad.

Why? He's a year younger than Queen and Wolf is a junior.

Starting basketball at 16, he's improved a lot and already a better shooter from outside than Queen. Queen and Wolf could both end up as MLE level players but Thiam has a higher ceiling because he's Malauch's height and has much better shot-blocking instincts.

Thiam just play against worse competition but he looks good.

[Psubs]

Also Kon is very much a great basketball player. His athleticism probably holds him back from a Korver type career but I will still have him relatively high. Lights out shooting potential and isn't a paperweight on defense. Supposedly he's crazy and an elite competitor too. Duke's team essentially said that if they were to go to war Kon would be on the front lines going **** crazy.

I was talking to his mom earlier in the year his whole family are major basketball junkies and preseason he looked like the best player on the team according to many.

Maybe he's like a Matt Harpring (mentality) / Wally Szczerbiak level prospect? I can see him being drafted 6-10.

Best fits are Philly (OKC pick), Chicago, San Antonio, then after that he's clear BPA and should not be passed on.

If Toronto at like 6 he has to be considered but have Ingram. Unless you trade Barrett, Dick and Poeltl for KD, Richards and #30. Then Kon can come off the bench while KD starts at SF and Ingram at SG. Then in a season or so, see if KD would come off the bench (but still play 30 mpg) at age 39.

Liam McNeely is like the consolation prize version of Kon.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25165415-2025-nba-mock-draft-2-round-predictions-pro-comparisons-entering-march-madness

Toronto Raptors record: 19-42

Previous Mock Position: No. 5

Size: 7'2", 250 lbs

Age: 18

Nationality: South Sudan

Pro Comparison: Mark Williams

Tre Johnson is generating top-five buzz from scouts, but they also believe Khaman Maluach will remain highly enticing, particularly after workouts. And the idea of 7'6" length, defensive mobility, elite finishing, physical screening and potentially some shooting range figures to look extra attractive next to Scottie Barnes.

Scouts don't sound concerned by Maluach's raw offense or pedestrian shot-blocking numbers. At his size with the way he moves, they see a sure-fire finishing weapon and defensive disruptor whose pre-Duke flashes of shotmaking hint at another route to offensive upside.

Given Maluach's limited role with the Blue Devils, he's a candidate to sell more teams during workouts with some masked shooting range for a prospect who's likely to measure similarly to Rudy Gobert.

[Kid Canada]

As a duke fan I wouldn't draft Kon even with a mid first round pick.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

As a duke fan I wouldn't draft Kon even with a mid first round pick.

U20 players with .576 3PAr shooting 40/90 w/ >2:1 AST:TO who are solid team defenders don't fall from the sky all the time