2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 9

WuTang_CMB · Post #1661 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:10 pm

WuTang_CMB · Post #1662 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:17 pm

vecenie

9. Toronto Raptors
Khaman Maluach | 7-1 big | 19 years old | Duke
The Raptors have entertained discussions in a wide variety of directions, league sources indicate. They were in the mix for Kevin Durant before he was traded to the Rockets on Sunday. They could look to move down if the player they want isn’t available at No. 9. It’s worth noting as well that Maluach is a player that has become the subject of trade speculation league-wide, with several late lottery teams interested in sliding up the board to acquire him.

With Jakob Poeltl potentially hitting free agency next year, the Raptors could use a long-term answer at center. Many people around the league have connected Maluach here because of his time at the NBA Academy in Africa and Masai Ujiri’s efforts to promote basketball within the region.

Maluach isn’t a monster shot-blocker, but he understands how big he is and is excellent at using his size to cut off angles and contest on the interior. Offensively, there are more questions, largely about his hands and overall feel for the game. He started playing basketball late and is still working on seeing the floor around him. He also doesn’t always come down with contested rebounds, as was starkly seen in Duke’s Final Four game against Houston, when he played 20 minutes and had zero rebounds. Still, someone will take the bet on a player who’s 7-1 with long arms and movement skills.

Mark_83 · Post #1663 » by **Mark_83** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:19 pm

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45570763/2025-nba-draft-prospects-jay-bilas-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper-ace-bailey

The 3-and-D guys

Length seems to translate well to the NBA, and its importance cannot be overstated. A player who can guard multiple positions, switch, disrupt and get deflections, steals and blocks can find playing time for any NBA team. Add in a reliable perimeter shot, and you are even more valuable. This year, three 3-and-D guys are somewhat under the radar but will be coveted on draft night.

Carter Bryant of Arizona, Rasheer Fleming of Saint Joseph's and Cedric Coward of Washington State are the most tantalizing prospects in this valuable category. Bryant is expected to be first off the board among the three. Bryant, 19, is an outstanding athlete who finished in the top 5 in vertical leap and sprint time at the combine. He has size and impressive length and can hit a standstill 3-pointer. Almost half of his points last season came from made 3s, and 82% of his shot attempts were catch-and-shoot 3s or finishes at the rim.

Fleming, 20, has great versatility and a 7-5 wingspan. He's a multi-positional defender and floor spacer who hit 62 3s on 39% shooting. His shot preparation is good, he can really change ends, and he's an outstanding rebounder.

Coward is the mystery man. After starting his career as a Division III player, he transferred to Eastern Washington, then to Washington State. Coward played only six games in Pullman, but he scored 20 or more in three, including 30 points against Northern Colorado. Coward is not as tall as Fleming, but he's got a 7-2 wingspan, speed, strength and great instincts on both ends of the floor. Coward was terrific at the combine, finishing in the top 6 in the sprint, vertical leap and standing vertical leap.

RapsFanInOhio · Post #1664 » by **RapsFanInOhio** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:19 pm

I think Maluach is going to slip and he’ll be there at 9 for us to take.

WuTang_CMB · Post #1665 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:19 pm

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft

WuTang_CMB · Post #1666 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:22 pm

Post #1667 » by **DG88** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:28 pm

1 more day until the draft. We're going to see the next future Raptors (9, 39) soon!

ArthurVandelay · Post #1668 » by **ArthurVandelay** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:36 pm

RapsFanInOhio wrote:I think Maluach is going to slip and he’ll be there at 9 for us to take.

I agree.

I don't think the interest is as real as hyped. He is repped by Klutch after all.

What gives me pause if the Raptors are actually interested is his lack of feel for the game and that is a glaring no-no for a darko offense.

BoyzNTheHood · Post #1669 » by **BoyzNTheHood** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:36 pm

DG88 wrote:1 more day until the draft. We're going to see the next future Raptors (9, 39) soon!

Exciting times! Love draft day(s)!

LoveMyRaps · Post #1670 » by **LoveMyRaps** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:39 pm

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

navyblue · Post #1671 » by **navyblue** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:40 pm

WuTang_OG wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

Thunder moving up for a big most likely, have to get a harkenstien replacement

Mark_83 · Post #1672 » by **Mark_83** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:45 pm

LoveMyRaps wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

This seems to jive with a lot of the rumors we've been hearing about Toronto considering moving down a few spots.

aminiaturebuddha · Post #1673 » by **aminiaturebuddha** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:47 pm

LoveMyRaps wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

So, essentially, the NBA talking heads and draft guys have no idea what the Raptors are going to do...as usual.

ArthurVandelay · Post #1674 » by **ArthurVandelay** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:48 pm

LoveMyRaps wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

I can see Masai, Bobby, Dan sitting back smoking cigars and laughing, "ha ha mofos!!!"

Mark_83 · Post #1675 » by **Mark_83** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:49 pm

navyblue wrote:
WuTang_OG wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

Thunder moving up for a big most likely, have to get a harkenstien replacement

I'd rather have Atlanta's picks than OKCs. They're earlier and pick 44 doesn't really move the needle for me. I also don't want to help OKC add even more talent to their potential dynasty.

Post #1676 » by **DG88** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:49 pm

Mark_83 wrote:
LoveMyRaps wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

This seems to jive with a lot of the rumors we've been hearing about Toronto considering moving down a few spots.

But also to throw off teams. Tolzman said our board is probably different than consensus.

LoveMyRaps · Post #1677 » by **LoveMyRaps** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:50 pm

Definitely think we trade down - either to Hawks or OKC.

OakleyDokely · Post #1678 » by **OakleyDokely** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:52 pm

Raps have been linked with almost everyone at this point -- Maluach, CMB, Queen, Essengue, Bryant etc. Nobody knows.

The Raps are picking 9 and 39, so they need to look at a wide range of players.

NotMyKawhi · Post #1679 » by **NotMyKawhi** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:52 pm

I like 15, philly 26 and 44 for 9

Get your guy at 15, make the playoffs. Push sixers into the lottery. Bet on yourself.

Indeed · Post #1680 » by **Indeed** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:54 pm

aminiaturebuddha wrote:
LoveMyRaps wrote:

Read on Twitter
?s=46&t=PSy3Ch7pvG4ybe2MpvWFcw

Ughhh

So, essentially, the NBA talking heads and draft guys have no idea what the Raptors are going to do...as usual.

And contradicting.
If we are looking for a dribble pass shoot guy, rim runners are not it.
If we are looking for a defensive guy, dribble pass shoot guys are not it.

All they know is we are looking for C or PF.