2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 2

[LoveMyRaps]

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[Jstock12]

Even though it's much more likely that Demin's struggles are due to increased level in competition, here's a more optimistic argument - there's no place like home!

[Psubs]

This team needs a guy like Cooper Flagg so badly it's not even funny.

We need a top 2 pick. No disrespect to Scottie, who's awesome, but we need a better best player.

Agreed. He thinks he's a #1 but he's a #2a on a championship team. Like a playmaking Pascal Siakam.

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

This team needs a guy like Cooper Flagg so badly it's not even funny.

We need a top 2 pick. No disrespect to Scottie, who's awesome, but we need a better best player.

Agreed. He thinks he's a #1 but he's a #2a on a championship team. Like a playmaking Pascal Siakam.

I don’t even think that he thinks he’s a #1. If he did, he wouldn’t coast so much. We’ve seen far too many times how passive he is. He doesn’t have the mentality. Someone like Cade for example does. He’s a true #1

[Psubs]

We need a top 2 pick. No disrespect to Scottie, who's awesome, but we need a better best player.

Agreed. He thinks he's a #1 but he's a #2a on a championship team. Like a playmaking Pascal Siakam.

I don’t even think that he thinks he’s a #1. If he did, he wouldn’t coast so much. We’ve seen far too many times how passive he is. He doesn’t have the mentality. Someone like Cade for example does. He’s a true #1

It's weird that he settles, yet forces plays at the same time.

[Thaddy]

Edgecombe vs. Maluach.

I would probably take Maluach.

Maluach looks like he would fit in at the NBA level. The lack of blocks is a concern but he is big enough to alter shots. I think he's purposely not going after blocks to keep his foul rate down. If he gets a reliable 3 point shot it would make him an ideal complimentary player to Barnes and Barrett.

Maluach
Barnes / Mogbo
3 + D
Barrett / Dick
IQ / Shead

It would hurt to be outside the range to get a difference making shot creator but he would be a valued asset for years to come.

[HumbleRen]

If we don’t get a top 4 pick, im fine with Edgecomb or Malauch.

We have so many holes on the roster that I can’t really down on drafting a center with a lotto pick.

We need a POA guard, a wing stopper, a lead guard with downhill ability, a 2 way player, a vertical big.

We need anything. no pressure Masai and Bobby.

[Merit]

This team needs a guy like Cooper Flagg so badly it's not even funny.

We need a top 2 pick. No disrespect to Scottie, who's awesome, but we need a better best player.

Agreed. He thinks he's a #1 but he's a #2a on a championship team. Like a playmaking Pascal Siakam.

He’s 24. He’s a 2a now, but has the upside for more.

[Merit]

If we don’t get a top 4 pick, im fine with Edgecomb or Malauch.

We have so many holes on the roster that I can’t really down on drafting a center with a lotto pick.

We need a POA guard, a wing stopper, a lead guard with downhill ability, a 2 way player, a vertical big.

We need anything. no pressure Masai and Bobby.

BPA. And if we get either VJ or Khaman, we have depth to insulate them.

[Merit]

We need a top 2 pick. No disrespect to Scottie, who's awesome, but we need a better best player.

Agreed. He thinks he's a #1 but he's a #2a on a championship team. Like a playmaking Pascal Siakam.

I don’t even think that he thinks he’s a #1. If he did, he wouldn’t coast so much. We’ve seen far too many times how passive he is. He doesn’t have the mentality. Someone like Cade for example does. He’s a true #1

If we’re talking offense, Scottie defers. If we’re talking defense, Scottie is miles ahead of Cade.

[PhilBlackson]

If it’s between Maluach or VJ….I’ll take Khaman.

I think Maluach has the greater potential of the two. While VJ has incredible leaping ability and will make a SportCenter highlight more often, he’s still fairly limited offensively. If we’re taking any guard/wing, they have to have the potential imo to become our leading scorer. His lack of shooting ability will only make things tougher on Scottie and Yak as clearly that means we’re sending Gradey or JaKobe to the bench and that leads to another problem….now you have such diminishing returns as we’d just have a plethora of SGs…RJ, Gradey, JaKobe, Ochai and then VJ. Sure you can play them out of position at SF but that’s really not ideal at all.

Maluach on the other hand would walk into almost an ideal situation backing up Yak (if we didn’t trade him as we should but if he stays that’s likely why we’re in this position lol) as he develops but in a year or two he’d be primed to start and offer a completely diff dynamic. He seems to have some touch around the basket but would be a major rim running threat, make fantastic screens and of course presents the upside of stretching the floor (and more). But the potential is there to be one of the top Cs in the league long term (considering Jok and Embiid will be done in a few years from now and he’ll only barely be starting his ascension). But I’ve seen so many Duke highlights where I’m thinking why don’t they dump the ball to him when he has such good position a lot of times and they barely even attempt to use his jumper even though on the RARE occasion they actually let him take them, he’s hit them. At 7’2 with a reported 7’6+ wingspan and a frame that looks like he’s gonna be 270+, he could be a lot of any player not named Jok or Embiid to handle and again those guys will likely be done or very close to it by the time Khaman is done his rookie contract.

[Psubs]

If it’s between Maluach or VJ….I’ll take Khaman.

I think Maluach has the greater potential of the two. While VJ has incredible leaping ability and will make a SportCenter highlight more often, he’s still fairly limited offensively. If we’re taking any guard/wing, they have to have the potential imo to become our leading scorer. His lack of shooting ability will only make things tougher on Scottie and Yak as clearly that means we’re sending Gradey or JaKobe to the bench and that leads to another problem….now you have such diminishing returns as we’d just have a plethora of SGs…RJ, Gradey, JaKobe, Ochai and then VJ. Sure you can play them out of position at SF but that’s really not ideal at all.

Maluach on the other hand would walk into almost an ideal situation backing up Yak (if we didn’t trade him as we should but if he stays that’s likely why we’re in this position lol) as he develops but in a year or two he’d be primed to start and offer a completely diff dynamic. He seems to have some touch around the basket but would be a major rim running threat, make fantastic screens and of course presents the upside of stretching the floor (and more). But the potential is there to be one of the top Cs in the league long term (considering Jok and Embiid will be done in a few years from now and he’ll only barely be starting his ascension). But I’ve seen so many Duke highlights where I’m thinking why don’t they dump the ball to him when he has such good position a lot of times and they barely even attempt to use his jumper even though on the RARE occasion they actually let him take them, he’s hit them. At 7’2 with a reported 7’6+ wingspan and a frame that looks like he’s gonna be 270+, he could be a lot of any player not named Jok or Embiid to handle and again those guys will likely be done or very close to it by the time Khaman is done his rookie contract.

If we trade Poeltl by the deadline, Maluach could be the target outside of the top 2.

[Thaddy]

Crazy how he's already 250lbs. He probably caps out at 280+. A front court of Maluach and Chomche towards the end of the 2020s would give us a great interior defense. The concern is that perimeter shooting is more influential so perimeter defense is valued higher.

Maluach, Chomche, Mogbo , Walter, and Shead. We've gone with the defense first pick option in the past and probably go forward with that. The Dick pick has so far been more of a disappointment than exciting.

[Psubs]

Crazy how he's already 250lbs. He probably caps out at 280+. A front court of Maluach and Chomche towards the end of the 2020s would give us a great interior defense. The concern is that perimeter shooting is more influential so perimeter defense is valued higher.

Maluach, Chomche, Mogbo , Walter, and Shead. We've gone with the defense first pick option in the past and probably go forward with that. The Dick pick has so far been more of a disappointment than exciting.

At least Maluach shoots 77% FTs.

[LoveMyRaps]

If it’s between Maluach or VJ….I’ll take Khaman.

I think Maluach has the greater potential of the two. While VJ has incredible leaping ability and will make a SportCenter highlight more often, he’s still fairly limited offensively. If we’re taking any guard/wing, they have to have the potential imo to become our leading scorer. His lack of shooting ability will only make things tougher on Scottie and Yak as clearly that means we’re sending Gradey or JaKobe to the bench and that leads to another problem….now you have such diminishing returns as we’d just have a plethora of SGs…RJ, Gradey, JaKobe, Ochai and then VJ. Sure you can play them out of position at SF but that’s really not ideal at all.

Maluach on the other hand would walk into almost an ideal situation backing up Yak (if we didn’t trade him as we should but if he stays that’s likely why we’re in this position lol) as he develops but in a year or two he’d be primed to start and offer a completely diff dynamic. He seems to have some touch around the basket but would be a major rim running threat, make fantastic screens and of course presents the upside of stretching the floor (and more). But the potential is there to be one of the top Cs in the league long term (considering Jok and Embiid will be done in a few years from now and he’ll only barely be starting his ascension). But I’ve seen so many Duke highlights where I’m thinking why don’t they dump the ball to him when he has such good position a lot of times and they barely even attempt to use his jumper even though on the RARE occasion they actually let him take them, he’s hit them. At 7’2 with a reported 7’6+ wingspan and a frame that looks like he’s gonna be 270+, he could be a lot of any player not named Jok or Embiid to handle and again those guys will likely be done or very close to it by the time Khaman is done his rookie contract.

I’d want Maluach starting from day 1. Poeltl can GTFO.

[bballsparkin]

I’d want Maluach starting from day 1. Poeltl can GTFO.

lol, why? Purtle would be a great mentor for him and in practice as well.

[Appostis]

If it’s between Maluach or VJ….I’ll take Khaman.

I think Maluach has the greater potential of the two. While VJ has incredible leaping ability and will make a SportCenter highlight more often, he’s still fairly limited offensively. If we’re taking any guard/wing, they have to have the potential imo to become our leading scorer. His lack of shooting ability will only make things tougher on Scottie and Yak as clearly that means we’re sending Gradey or JaKobe to the bench and that leads to another problem….now you have such diminishing returns as we’d just have a plethora of SGs…RJ, Gradey, JaKobe, Ochai and then VJ. Sure you can play them out of position at SF but that’s really not ideal at all.

Maluach on the other hand would walk into almost an ideal situation backing up Yak (if we didn’t trade him as we should but if he stays that’s likely why we’re in this position lol) as he develops but in a year or two he’d be primed to start and offer a completely diff dynamic. He seems to have some touch around the basket but would be a major rim running threat, make fantastic screens and of course presents the upside of stretching the floor (and more). But the potential is there to be one of the top Cs in the league long term (considering Jok and Embiid will be done in a few years from now and he’ll only barely be starting his ascension). But I’ve seen so many Duke highlights where I’m thinking why don’t they dump the ball to him when he has such good position a lot of times and they barely even attempt to use his jumper even though on the RARE occasion they actually let him take them, he’s hit them. At 7’2 with a reported 7’6+ wingspan and a frame that looks like he’s gonna be 270+, he could be a lot of any player not named Jok or Embiid to handle and again those guys will likely be done or very close to it by the time Khaman is done his rookie contract.

If we trade Poeltl by the deadline, Maluach could be the target outside of the top 2.

We won't *shurg*

[Reeko]

I’d want Maluach starting from day 1. Poeltl can GTFO.

lol, why? Purtle would be a great mentor for him and in practice as well.

Yeah Maluach is still super young, he'd benefit a lot from going up against Poeltl in practice and learning the ropes. Imagine if we traded Poeltl and drafted Maluach, only for Kelly Olynyk to be teaching him the finer points of being an NBA center.

[Thaddy]

I’d want Maluach starting from day 1. Poeltl can GTFO.

lol, why? Purtle would be a great mentor for him and in practice as well.

Yeah Maluach is still super young, he'd benefit a lot from going up against Poeltl in practice and learning the ropes. Imagine if we traded Poeltl and drafted Maluach, only for Kelly Olynyk to be teaching him the finer points of being an NBA center.

A lot of players figure things out without a mentor on the team. Some mentors are even bad, like what Barnes had. Unless Maluach is a clear cut ROTY we aren't winning with him starting next season. If you look at the playoff teams most teams have a C with significant experience starting. The Raptors probably don't want to tank two years in a row so keeping Poeltl around is their "hack" out of it.

I personally disagree. If we end up dropping to the 5th pick or later we won't get a difference maker. At that point selling Poeltl for a pick in the 10-15 range would make sense. I'm hoping the front office is waiting to see if we land in the top 3 before making any serious decisions.

[Dalek]

Even though it's much more likely that Demin's struggles are due to increased level in competition, here's a more optimistic argument - there's no place like home!

He is 18 and will get better with more experience. Not every 18 year old is Flagg. He still is an elite passer and can defend. I say for adjustment Toronto would be the best place for him.