2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 2

[LoveMyRaps]

Flagg, Kasp, Maluach, VJ all in action tonight.

[Merit]

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.

Poeltl would definitely start, but they’d probably have a timeshare. With both I’d be very happy with our future front court. Chomche/Malauch/Poeltl/Scottie is pretty incredible should they all pan out.

[God Squad]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

[DG88]

Read on Twitter

[sh00n]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

Maluach reminds me of Thabeet. A lot of hype and a product of the situation he's in more than his actual talent. With a late 1st, I'd be okay taking a chance on him. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole in the top 15 though.

[Jerry Lucas]

Read on Twitter

Givony finally acknowledges Thomas Sorber. Took him long enough.

I also like what he said about Danny Wolf, Darrion Williams, Alex Condon, Tomislav Ivisic, and Johni Broome. These are all guys that should be widely ranked higher than they currently are in mocks.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

If we're 6 we're picking between Egor, Tre, Fears, Khaman. I'd actually be pissed ngl lmao

Lol why would you be mad?
Even if we pick #6 it would be our second best asset besides Barnes

There’s a big fall off in prospect tiers for me after pick 5. There’s even one between 3/4 and 5.

Goes from guys that can be all stars to guys that might be good starters one day and lower from there. For the record I think Jak is definitely going top 4. 5th at worst.

Khaman is a second pick guy for me. I’m not taking him if he’s our only first because he’s barely impactful now in college and won’t be in the NBA (at least right away). There are quite a few C prospects that would fit nicely that can be had with a later pick as well.

[CoinTossRoss31]

If we're 6 we're picking between Egor, Tre, Fears, Khaman. I'd actually be pissed ngl lmao

Lol why would you be mad?
Even if we pick #6 it would be our second best asset besides Barnes

There’s a big fall off in prospect tiers for me after pick 5. There’s even one between 3/4 and 5.

Goes from guys that can be all stars to guys that might be good starters one day and lower from there. For the record I think Jak is definitely going top 4. 5th at worst.

Khaman is a second pick guy for me. I’m not taking him if he’s our only first because he’s barely impactful now in college and won’t be in the NBA (at least right away). There are quite a few C prospects that would fit nicely that can be had with a later pick as well.

To be fair I actually view a large drop from 1 (Flagg) to 2 (Harper) then again from 2 to 3 (Bailey,VJ)

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

If we're 6 we're picking between Egor, Tre, Fears, Khaman. I'd actually be pissed ngl lmao

lol. I'd be beyond elated.

Khaman Maluach will be a Raptor if we're selecting from those options.

Yea it's going to be Malauch

[God Squad]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

Maluach reminds me of Thabeet. A lot of hype and a product of the situation he's in more than his actual talent. With a late 1st, I'd be okay taking a chance on him. I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole in the top 15 though.

Hasheem for all his faults was a far superior shot blocker to Maluach. I don't know who Maluach compares to stats-wise/eye test. He showed more with the Sudanese national team similar to VJ did with the Bahamas.

[ATLTimekeeper]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

[mademan]

Drafting Malauch kinda ensures another tanking season. I think some rookies can come in and contribute right away, but he's definitely a long term prospect.

[God Squad]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

Embiid impact was felt at Duke. Maluach just floats around waiting for a lob. I'll watch more film since he has a lot of fans around here.

[mademan]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

Embiid impact was felt at Duke. Maluach just floats around waiting for a lob. I'll watch more film since he has a lot of fans around here.

He feels slow, both movement wise and game speed. Youre taking a shot drafting him with his biggest plus being he is so raw but still so efficient as a great finisher. But he probably has the highest bust potential in the lottery.

I'd be ok with him at like 10. At 6, we're passing on guys with lower bust potential and just as much upside

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[ArthurVandelay]

That Vecenie game tape analysis of Bailey made me even more unsure of him. Such a weird prospect. Great tools and great shot making ability, but almost no game sense and IQ. It's like if someone practiced making difficult jumpshots since they were a kid, but never played an actual basketball game with other people. He's young though...

You might be on to something

He was a COVID kid…13 and 14 years old probably playing by himself

[mademan]

Read on Twitter

Ya there was a time where Harper was in contention for 1st, but this is now clearly a draft with a cant miss star at 1. It doesnt mean that someone else might not end up better, like Curry or Harden did in the Blake Griffin draft, but just like Griffin, Flagg is a clear cut star in this league. His size and ball skills are Paolo level, and he might be more athletic

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Flagg is going to win 'ships.

[God Squad]

We need to move off the Flagg discussions for the time being. We know he's great. I'm honestly torn and stuck from 3-8. Large probability we'll be in that 5-6 range.

Rough big board
T1.
Flagg

T2.
Harper

T3.
Jak
VJ
Tre
Ace?
Fears?
Newell?
Malauach?

[ATLTimekeeper]

So, I have some issues with Maluach.
1. Why can't he play more than 20 mpg?
2. Why doesn't he stock more? (Steals/Blocks)
3. His game or impact feels muted.

He's been impressive in terms of efficiency, but then you realize he's only catching lobs and there is little or no creation involved.

He's still relatively new to basketball. I think it's like 4 years since he started.

By comparison Embiid was a year and a half older than Maluach is right now, and was a foul machine.

There's obviously a lot of risk with a player like this, but with NBA strength training he could really dominate. He moves well for someone that big.

Embiid impact was felt at Duke. Maluach just floats around waiting for a lob. I'll watch more film since he has a lot of fans around here.

Yes, all I was saying was that Embiid was a year and a half older. Maluach's actually had more development time and moves like a basketball player. Embiid was wreckless on the court and has suffered as a result. No idea if Maluach can add skill like Embiid, probably not, but he could be a really good version of what he already is in the NBA. He's not in my top 10, but I do really like him.