2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[WuTang_OG]

Continued

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2446762

[Thaddy]

Shead, Walter, Battle, and Mogbo.

Where would they be mocked in the 2025 draft?

[Dalek]

I had fun reviewing options for our first rounder. The best upside, positional fit and culture fit is Khaman Maluach.

Watch on YouTube

7'2
7’5” wingspan and a 9’8” standing reach
Switch on defense
Deters rim attempts
80 dunks
77% at the rim

The rare combo of size and mobility are important, but he is also a really strong defensive communicator directing Dukes backline.

Offensively he will be a rim runner, but dig back he can shoot it. Its warmups but he looks smooth showing shooting upside.

Read on Twitter

[WuTang_OG]

BR mock
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25178933-2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-show-after-ncaa-tournament-elite-8

ringer
https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HelloandWelcome

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[HangTime]

I had fun reviewing options for our first rounder. The best upside, positional fit and culture fit is Khaman Maluach.

Watch on YouTube

7'2
7’5” wingspan and a 9’8” standing reach
Switch on defense
Deters rim attempts
80 dunks
77% at the rim

The rare combo of size and mobility are important, but he is also a really strong defensive communicator directing Dukes backline.

Offensively he will be a rim runner, but dig back he can shoot it. Its warmups but he looks smooth showing shooting upside.

Read on Twitter

I think Masai has already given him a "secret guarantee"(with the exception of us moving into the top 2).
If we get 3 or lower, We ask him to sit out all workouts.

We still get to workout other players, in case someone ahead of us picks him.

[Pointgod]

BR mock
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25178933-2025-nba-mock-draft-cooper-flagg-show-after-ncaa-tournament-elite-8

ringer
https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HelloandWelcome

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

What’s with all the PG’s in the draft that can’t shoot?

[XTC]

I had fun reviewing options for our first rounder. The best upside, positional fit and culture fit is Khaman Maluach.

Watch on YouTube

7'2
7’5” wingspan and a 9’8” standing reach
Switch on defense
Deters rim attempts
80 dunks
77% at the rim

The rare combo of size and mobility are important, but he is also a really strong defensive communicator directing Dukes backline.

Offensively he will be a rim runner, but dig back he can shoot it. Its warmups but he looks smooth showing shooting upside.

Read on Twitter

I think Masai has already given him a "secret guarantee"(with the exception of us moving into the top 2).
If we get 3 or lower, We ask him to sit out all workouts.

We still get to workout other players, in case someone ahead of us picks him.

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the top 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%... here's the top 10 block leaders in the NBA and their block percentage at the college level in their freshmen year

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8.Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

You take away his rim protection and shot blocking and he honestly doesn't seem very appealing. I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

[dballislife]

you guys gotta watch the games instead of the blocks column, he deters shots, opponents drive inside and see maluach and quickly dribble back out or pass it back out cause they cant do nothing while hes in there...and he alters and affects so many shots that you also dont see in the block column

he was also last officially measured at 17 just turning 18, its rare but when hes 20 he could be a tiny bit bigger too, thats scary

[DreamTeam09]

I had fun reviewing options for our first rounder. The best upside, positional fit and culture fit is Khaman Maluach.

Watch on YouTube

7'2
7’5” wingspan and a 9’8” standing reach
Switch on defense
Deters rim attempts
80 dunks
77% at the rim

The rare combo of size and mobility are important, but he is also a really strong defensive communicator directing Dukes backline.

Offensively he will be a rim runner, but dig back he can shoot it. Its warmups but he looks smooth showing shooting upside.

Read on Twitter

I think Masai has already given him a "secret guarantee"(with the exception of us moving into the top 2).
If we get 3 or lower, We ask him to sit out all workouts.

We still get to workout other players, in case someone ahead of us picks him.

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Allen and Lopez are good comps, you think it would be crazy for Khaman to get to that level one day, or somewhere in-between.
He's also the most mobile of 2 / wouldn't his switch ability lead to a lower Blk % ? Duke hedges and traps the ball screens

[XTC]

you guys gotta watch the games instead of the blocks column, he deters shots, opponents drive inside and see maluach and quickly dribble back out or pass it back out cause they cant do nothing while hes in there...and he alters and affects so many shots that you also dont see in the block column

he was also last officially measured at 17 just turning 18, its rare but when hes 20 he could be a tiny bit bigger too, thats scary

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down, he needs to wind up to get high aka poor jumper off two feet), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

[XTC]

I think Masai has already given him a "secret guarantee"(with the exception of us moving into the top 2).
If we get 3 or lower, We ask him to sit out all workouts.

We still get to workout other players, in case someone ahead of us picks him.

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Allen and Lopez are good comps, you think it would be crazy for Khaman to get to that level one day, or somewhere in-between.
He's also the most mobile of 2 / wouldn't his switch ability lead to a lower Blk % ? Duke hedges and traps the ball screens

In no way is he a better athlete than Allen(Maluach barely gets off the floor), and in no way shape or form is he close to the shooter Lopez is. Heres my problem with people who talk about Maluach, they talk about shooting, and rim protection... Maluach is a 7-3 monster who isn't a good rim protector at the college level, and he has an imaginary jumpshot... that's crazy to me

Heres the top 10 leaders in blocks and their block percentages at the college level. Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8. Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down, he needs to wind up to get high aka poor jumper off two feet), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

[DreamTeam09]

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Allen and Lopez are good comps, you think it would be crazy for Khaman to get to that level one day, or somewhere in-between.
He's also the most mobile of 2 / wouldn't his switch ability lead to a lower Blk % ? Duke hedges and traps the ball screens

In no way is he a better athlete than Allen(Maluach barely gets off the floor), and in no way shape or form is he close to the shooter Lopez is. Heres my problem with people who talk about Maluach, they talk about shooting, and rim protection... Maluach is a 7-3 monster who isn't a good rim protector at the college level, and he has an imaginary jumpshot... that's crazy to me

Heres the top 10 leaders in blocks and their block percentages at the college level. Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8. Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

I'll disagree with you on that,
I talk about Khaman because of his lob threat and switchablity on defense / He can survive on an island better than Allen on defense,
No he's not the shooter Brook Lopez became to after like his first 8yrs in the league already

[Tripod]

you guys gotta watch the games instead of the blocks column, he deters shots, opponents drive inside and see maluach and quickly dribble back out or pass it back out cause they cant do nothing while hes in there...and he alters and affects so many shots that you also dont see in the block column

he was also last officially measured at 17 just turning 18, its rare but when hes 20 he could be a tiny bit bigger too, thats scary

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down, he needs to wind up to get high aka poor jumper off two feet), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

Masai loves to break barriers

[Dalek]

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the top 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%... here's the top 10 block leaders in the NBA and their block percentage at the college level in their freshmen year

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8.Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

You take away his rim protection and shot blocking and he honestly doesn't seem very appealing. I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

I think on a good defending team he makes you elite and Duke has shown elite defense especially in the tournament. I got this from a recent article on his impact.

In seven postseason games with Maliq Brown (one of their defensive anchors) either limited or out, Duke is 4.2 points better per 100 possessions on that end of the court when Maluach plays compared to when he sits.

Effective field-goal percentage allowed goes from 50.0% when he sits (62nd percentile) to 42.7% when he plays (100th percentile). Maluach has disrupted plenty of shots in March — he averages 2.3 blocks in the postseason.

On the whole the combo of Flagg and Maluach deters rim attempts. Alabama who I thought would beat Duke because of their elite offense could not get into the paint to collapse the defense. They took less threes and just gave up. Now imagine this guy with Scottie who is even better than Flagg on defense, IMO.

Watch on YouTube

[Psubs]

Shead, Walter, Battle, and Mogbo.

Where would they be mocked in the 2025 draft?

Walter has to be around Jase Richardson around #10.

Shead probably around Walter Clayton Jr in the early 20's.

Battle late 1st but ahead of Kam Jones (who should be an early 2nd at best)

Mogbo probably around JT Toppin or Yaxel Lendeborg late 1st.

[XTC]

Allen and Lopez are good comps, you think it would be crazy for Khaman to get to that level one day, or somewhere in-between.
He's also the most mobile of 2 / wouldn't his switch ability lead to a lower Blk % ? Duke hedges and traps the ball screens

In no way is he a better athlete than Allen(Maluach barely gets off the floor), and in no way shape or form is he close to the shooter Lopez is. Heres my problem with people who talk about Maluach, they talk about shooting, and rim protection... Maluach is a 7-3 monster who isn't a good rim protector at the college level, and he has an imaginary jumpshot... that's crazy to me

Heres the top 10 leaders in blocks and their block percentages at the college level. Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8. Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

I'll disagree with you on that,
I talk about Khaman because of his lob threat and switchablity on defense / He can survive on an island better than Allen on defense,
No he's not the shooter Brook Lopez became to after like his first 8yrs in the league already

Jarrett Allen has a 32" standing vertical, and 36" max vertical. This is the same dude who blocked Lebron, and is routinely among the league leaders in dunks. Allen is genuinely one of the best centers when it comes to footwork, switchability, getting off the floor quickly for blocks/dunks. I don't think it's even close athletically between the two.

Khaman struggles to jump off two feet which is evident by his block numbers, and go back and watch some tape on Maluach bro, 80% of his lobs if he's not directly open under the basket he has a big wind up and gather to barely get up and catch the lob. If Maluach was this monster big man with all this athleticism you would think he would average more than 2.2 BPG PER36 at the college level. His fans have propped him up to be this unicorn, but hes a 7-3 bigman with an imaginary jumpshot, limited athleticism, and poor shot blocking mechanics.

Watch on YouTube

Also Lopez's shooting + defense improvement is a complete outliers are will likely never happen again in NBA history.

[Jerry Lucas]

XTC dropping some real truth bombs about Maluach, I love it.

[Jerry Lucas]

you guys gotta watch the games instead of the blocks column, he deters shots, opponents drive inside and see maluach and quickly dribble back out or pass it back out cause they cant do nothing while hes in there...and he alters and affects so many shots that you also dont see in the block column

he was also last officially measured at 17 just turning 18, its rare but when hes 20 he could be a tiny bit bigger too, thats scary

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down, he needs to wind up to get high aka poor jumper off two feet), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

Masai loves to break barriers

No, Masai loves to draft his type, and I seriously doubt Maluach is it. If he were to select him, it would hands down be the highest bust potential draft selection he's made with a 1st round pick since Bruno back in 2014.

[XTC]

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the top 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%... here's the top 10 block leaders in the NBA and their block percentage at the college level in their freshmen year

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8.Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

You take away his rim protection and shot blocking and he honestly doesn't seem very appealing. I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

I think on a good defending team he makes you elite and Duke has shown elite defense especially in the tournament. I got this from a recent article on his impact.

In seven postseason games with Maliq Brown (one of their defensive anchors) either limited or out, Duke is 4.2 points better per 100 possessions on that end of the court when Maluach plays compared to when he sits.

Effective field-goal percentage allowed goes from 50.0% when he sits (62nd percentile) to 42.7% when he plays (100th percentile). Maluach has disrupted plenty of shots in March — he averages 2.3 blocks in the postseason.

On the whole the combo of Flagg and Maluach deters rim attempts. Alabama who I thought would beat Duke because of their elite offense could not get into the paint to collapse the defense. They took less threes and just gave up. Now imagine this guy with Scottie who is even better than Flagg on defense, IMO.

Watch on YouTube

I watched the entire game vs Alabama, I was even participating in the game thread live when the game was going on.

This video is 75% of him dunking or catching lobs. Notice how low they have to throw lobs to Maluach? Those lobs won't be there at the NBA levels. Maluach barely gets off the ground every time he jumps, its crazy people are trying to argue that hes some unicorn with his size and athleticisim The HIGHLIGHTS aren't also showing in the first half when he was getting burned by smaller guys so they had to sub him off. Not impressed.

[Tripod]

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down, he needs to wind up to get high aka poor jumper off two feet), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

Masai loves to break barriers

No, Masai loves to draft his type, and I seriously doubt Maluach is it. If he were to select him, it would hands down be the highest bust potential draft selection he's made with a 1st round pick since Bruno back in 2014.

Who do you think he likes?