2025 NBA Draft Prospect Part 3

[ArthurVandelay]

Barring lottery luck and the possibility the Raptors slip to 7th or 8th, it feels like the writing is on the wall about the draft. Maluach has the long term Ujiri connections and he also fills a long term position of need with the team. I'm not a fan but I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

I've been comparing highlights and stats of Maluach to Lively II and Mark Williams. My biggest concern, like everyone else, is that it doesn't seem Maluach has the same feel for the game as those guys. It is evident in his ast%, stl%, and blk%. On the bright side there is comparable rebound rates, WS/40, and BPM. While Lively and Williams have a better overall feel for the game, Maluach definitely has the better touch, including around the rim, from deep, and ft.

What might be the biggest saving grace for Maluach (for me at least) is in his freshman year he is a year younger than Williams and 2.5 years younger than Lively plus Maluach didn't start playing basketball until 12-13 years old. When you consider what Maluach is doing with the experience and age disadvantage of Lively and Williams, I'm starting to feel a bit better about the prospects of drafting him.

Full disclosure: I'm really talking myself into this

He prospects well compared to lively / lively didn't show a lot at Duke either, at least not compared to the expectations of the Mavericks. Khaman is tall and mobile so the lively and mark Williams comparison are valid. I expect us to jump up in the draft but part of me wants us to remain at 5 for Khaman

Lively's defense at DUKE was top notch. His blk% as an example was over 12%, double that of Maluach, and his DBPM was 6.8 compared to Malauch 3.4 (season not over). But he was also 2.5 years older. Very similar to the comparison I made earlier this year about Ace Bailey and Brandon Miller. Ace is putting up comparable numbers but 2 years younger than Miller was as a freshman.

[Ell Curry]

I wish we had picked up another first. Bidunga, Bryant on Arizona and Ivisic on Illinois are all shooting over 80% on close 2s, very, very good BPM numbers for freshman and Bidunga gets blocks and O-Rebs and the other 2 can shoot the 3.

When I've seen Ivisic he's looked like a deer in the headlights at times as a rim protector, Bryant has handle issues and Bidunga is small for a center (can't see him playing the 4 unless it's next to a really stretchy 5), so they aren't like perfect or anything, but they all profile statistically as solid NBA players.

If we draft a guard on draft night, I won't be surprised if we move a wing (presumably RJ or Agbaji, front office seems to value Grady higher than others will and Walter presumably has little value until he proves himself to other teams, and he's got talent and isn't dumb and again I think would have little value) to get a backup 5 we can develop. Would solve the minutes crunch, create some financial flexibility and good shot at avoiding a center crisis and free up our 2026 1st to do something other than draft a center.

[Dalek]

I wish we had picked up another first. Bidunga, Bryant on Arizona and Ivisic on Illinois are all shooting over 80% on close 2s, very, very good BPM numbers for freshman and Bidunga gets blocks and O-Rebs and the other 2 can shoot the 3.

When I've seen Ivisic he's looked like a deer in the headlights at times as a rim protector, Bryant has handle issues and Bidunga is small for a center (can't see him playing the 4 unless it's next to a really stretchy 5), so they aren't like perfect or anything, but they all profile statistically as solid NBA players.

If we draft a guard on draft night, I won't be surprised if we move a wing (presumably RJ or Agbaji, front office seems to value Grady higher than others will and Walter presumably has little value until he proves himself to other teams, and he's got talent and isn't dumb and again I think would have little value) to get a backup 5 we can develop. Would solve the minutes crunch, create some financial flexibility and good shot at avoiding a center crisis and free up our 2026 1st to do something other than draft a center.

Out of that group Bryant is the guy I value the most. He is a high character kid who is allowing himself to be team first. He has size and athleticism to be special and just needs to catch-up on some time he lost due to his previous injury.

Ivisic looks like Euroleague star to me. Poku flamed out in the NBA but looks better over there.

Read on Twitter

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Barring lottery luck and the possibility the Raptors slip to 7th or 8th, it feels like the writing is on the wall about the draft. Maluach has the long term Ujiri connections and he also fills a long term position of need with the team. I'm not a fan but I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

I've been comparing highlights and stats of Maluach to Lively II and Mark Williams. My biggest concern, like everyone else, is that it doesn't seem Maluach has the same feel for the game as those guys. It is evident in his ast%, stl%, and blk%. On the bright side there is comparable rebound rates, WS/40, and BPM. While Lively and Williams have a better overall feel for the game, Maluach definitely has the better touch, including around the rim, from deep, and ft.

What might be the biggest saving grace for Maluach (for me at least) is in his freshman year he is a year younger than Williams and 2.5 years younger than Lively plus Maluach didn't start playing basketball until 12-13 years old. When you consider what Maluach is doing with the experience and age disadvantage of Lively and Williams, I'm starting to feel a bit better about the prospects of drafting him.

Full disclosure: I'm really talking myself into this

He prospects well compared to lively / lively didn't show a lot at Duke either, at least not compared to the expectations of the Mavericks. Khaman is tall and mobile so the lively and mark Williams comparison are valid. I expect us to jump up in the draft but part of me wants us to remain at 5 for Khaman

Lively's defense at DUKE was top notch. His blk% as an example was over 12%, double that of Maluach, and his DBPM was 6.8 compared to Malauch 3.4 (season not over). But he was also 2.5 years older. Very similar to the comparison I made earlier this year about Ace Bailey and Brandon Miller. Ace is putting up comparable numbers but 2 years younger than Miller was as a freshman.

Part of the intrigue with Miller was his ability to self-generate high quality 3pt looks. Actually his ability to do that is the main thing keeping him afloat from definite bust territory. Ace is a lot more comfortable getting to the midrange which is unfortunate.

I think if you do a side by side between Bailey and Johnson at least Johnson has a willingness to play team basketball and also has a higher 3PAr as well as the FT% of course. Between them with all their known issues I would lean heavily towards the guy who is passing it at a higher level and generating more self-created 3s or has a propensity to look for them more.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Barring lottery luck and the possibility the Raptors slip to 7th or 8th, it feels like the writing is on the wall about the draft. Maluach has the long term Ujiri connections and he also fills a long term position of need with the team. I'm not a fan but I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

I've been comparing highlights and stats of Maluach to Lively II and Mark Williams. My biggest concern, like everyone else, is that it doesn't seem Maluach has the same feel for the game as those guys. It is evident in his ast%, stl%, and blk%. On the bright side there is comparable rebound rates, WS/40, and BPM. While Lively and Williams have a better overall feel for the game, Maluach definitely has the better touch, including around the rim, from deep, and ft.

What might be the biggest saving grace for Maluach (for me at least) is in his freshman year he is a year younger than Williams and 2.5 years younger than Lively plus Maluach didn't start playing basketball until 12-13 years old. When you consider what Maluach is doing with the experience and age disadvantage of Lively and Williams, I'm starting to feel a bit better about the prospects of drafting him.

Full disclosure: I'm really talking myself into this

Masai has drafted how many guys out of Africa? Is Siakam the only one?
Siakam had pretty great advanced and predictor stats.
Raptors lean heavily on the analytics department, and Malauch's poor passing really makes him a bad fit in Darko's system.
I think the comparisons to Masai are a little lazy and don't go beyond Africa and Masai's camps.

He drafted Chomche last year, no? Who do you think was the driving force behind the Raptors trading for/picking Soloman Alibi back in the 2010?

He recently talked about the (paraphrasing) "number of 7'2 guys learning the game and coming out of Africa in the coming years."

Without question Masai knows more than any other executive about the talent coming from Africa. Maluach is a top rated prospect who got his start through Giants of Africa/BAL, is now at an elite NCAA school, is generally mocked to where the Raptors will be picking (pre-lottery), and fills a real position of long-term need.

I get what you're saying about the lazy assessment and tying anything African to Masai, but I don't think it is accurate in this case for the reasons I listed.

Siakam wasn't even his preferred pick. His scouts convinced him to take Pascal over Skal.

But you missed Koloko. They also really wanted Achiuwa in the draft (if you still believe that).

I haven't seen any connection to Maluach and Giants of Africa or Masai. He went to the NBA Academy Africa at 14, played in the BAL. I know he is close with Luol Deng. I haven't seen any evidence that Masai is biased to African players in the draft, where he would select one over an obvious better choice.

[Psubs]

I wish we had picked up another first. Bidunga, Bryant on Arizona and Ivisic on Illinois are all shooting over 80% on close 2s, very, very good BPM numbers for freshman and Bidunga gets blocks and O-Rebs and the other 2 can shoot the 3.

When I've seen Ivisic he's looked like a deer in the headlights at times as a rim protector, Bryant has handle issues and Bidunga is small for a center (can't see him playing the 4 unless it's next to a really stretchy 5), so they aren't like perfect or anything, but they all profile statistically as solid NBA players.

If we draft a guard on draft night, I won't be surprised if we move a wing (presumably RJ or Agbaji, front office seems to value Grady higher than others will and Walter presumably has little value until he proves himself to other teams, and he's got talent and isn't dumb and again I think would have little value) to get a backup 5 we can develop. Would solve the minutes crunch, create some financial flexibility and good shot at avoiding a center crisis and free up our 2026 1st to do something other than draft a center.

Outside of the top 5, no guards unless trading down, then maybe Jase Richardson maybe. Really need PF and C.

[Dalek]

I wish we had picked up another first. Bidunga, Bryant on Arizona and Ivisic on Illinois are all shooting over 80% on close 2s, very, very good BPM numbers for freshman and Bidunga gets blocks and O-Rebs and the other 2 can shoot the 3.

When I've seen Ivisic he's looked like a deer in the headlights at times as a rim protector, Bryant has handle issues and Bidunga is small for a center (can't see him playing the 4 unless it's next to a really stretchy 5), so they aren't like perfect or anything, but they all profile statistically as solid NBA players.

If we draft a guard on draft night, I won't be surprised if we move a wing (presumably RJ or Agbaji, front office seems to value Grady higher than others will and Walter presumably has little value until he proves himself to other teams, and he's got talent and isn't dumb and again I think would have little value) to get a backup 5 we can develop. Would solve the minutes crunch, create some financial flexibility and good shot at avoiding a center crisis and free up our 2026 1st to do something other than draft a center.

Outside of the top 5, no guards unless trading down, then maybe Jase Richardson maybe. Really need PF and C.

I hadn't followed him at all, but this Jeremiah Fears kid must have had his stock drop. It seems bizarre that his hype has died out. I thought people here loved him. Why is Richardson better? I can't see him shaking any defenders in the NBA - he looks slow.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I'd be surprised if the Raps spend a 1st on a smaller guard like Jase. Not only because they have a few in the organization but because with dean's new influence he always heavily taxes small guards (to his detriment last year when it comes to McCain) but that's how it'll be.

But I could see them going after a Walter Clayton in the 2nd depending on who they draft in the 1st.

[ArthurVandelay]

Masai has drafted how many guys out of Africa? Is Siakam the only one?
Siakam had pretty great advanced and predictor stats.
Raptors lean heavily on the analytics department, and Malauch's poor passing really makes him a bad fit in Darko's system.
I think the comparisons to Masai are a little lazy and don't go beyond Africa and Masai's camps.

He drafted Chomche last year, no? Who do you think was the driving force behind the Raptors trading for/picking Soloman Alibi back in the 2010?

He recently talked about the (paraphrasing) "number of 7'2 guys learning the game and coming out of Africa in the coming years."

Without question Masai knows more than any other executive about the talent coming from Africa. Maluach is a top rated prospect who got his start through Giants of Africa/BAL, is now at an elite NCAA school, is generally mocked to where the Raptors will be picking (pre-lottery), and fills a real position of long-term need.

I get what you're saying about the lazy assessment and tying anything African to Masai, but I don't think it is accurate in this case for the reasons I listed.

Siakam wasn't even his preferred pick. His scouts convinced him to take Pascal over Skal.

But you missed Koloko. They also really wanted Achiuwa in the draft (if you still believe that).

I haven't seen any connection to Maluach and Giants of Africa or Masai. He went to the NBA Academy Africa at 14, played in the BAL. I know he is close with Luol Deng. I haven't seen any evidence that Masai is biased to African players in the draft, where he would select one over an obvious better choice.

Ignorance on my part. I assumed he was involved with GoA. No question he’s been on Masai’s radar though.

And I 100% agree that Masai would not pick an African prospect over a better non-African prospect.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

I wish we had picked up another first. Bidunga, Bryant on Arizona and Ivisic on Illinois are all shooting over 80% on close 2s, very, very good BPM numbers for freshman and Bidunga gets blocks and O-Rebs and the other 2 can shoot the 3.

When I've seen Ivisic he's looked like a deer in the headlights at times as a rim protector, Bryant has handle issues and Bidunga is small for a center (can't see him playing the 4 unless it's next to a really stretchy 5), so they aren't like perfect or anything, but they all profile statistically as solid NBA players.

If we draft a guard on draft night, I won't be surprised if we move a wing (presumably RJ or Agbaji, front office seems to value Grady higher than others will and Walter presumably has little value until he proves himself to other teams, and he's got talent and isn't dumb and again I think would have little value) to get a backup 5 we can develop. Would solve the minutes crunch, create some financial flexibility and good shot at avoiding a center crisis and free up our 2026 1st to do something other than draft a center.

Outside of the top 5, no guards unless trading down, then maybe Jase Richardson maybe. Really need PF and C.

I hadn't followed him at all, but this Jeremiah Fears kid must have had his stock drop. It seems bizarre that his hype has died out. I thought people here loved him. Why is Richardson better? I can't see him shaking any defenders in the NBA - he looks slow.

He started to suck vs conf opponents but has shown flashes. He needs to go back to school and work on his body too.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Who brought up Thiam? Sick find

[MEDIC]

I mean am I crazy for thinking we draft Tre Johnson to be our pseudo starting PG? Barnes and Barrett get a ton of possession initiation anyway, and why can't Tre Johnson be a better version of Quickley. He has true star potential.

I am convinced Quickley is not a true starting PG, anyway. Picks up his dribble way too often, has no bag to create his own shot, and cannot finish at the rim. He is essentially providing value as a pull-up threat and catch and shoot option. Now, Johnson is bigger and can create off the dribble as well as shoot from anywhere on the floor. I kind of think of him as a Devin Booker type of player.

Tre Johnson
Barrett
Barnes
Ingram
Poeltl

Quickley
Dick
Walter
Mogbo?
Robinson?

That's a potent offense with some obvious defensive issues, but I like Johnson because if we move off RJ he can fill in, and he has a hope of becoming an all-star more than most of the other options outside the top two in the class.

I think if we are drafting 5th & he hasn't been taken, you almost have to take him based on potential. He has that star level confidence & is extremely talented. I have read that his defensive capability is decent, with untapped potential. He also has excellent passing skills. It seems to me that he is a good fit overall due to his passing & shooting ability. If he becomes James Harden lite, that is a huge get.

I agree with you about running him at PG sometimes.

If we are drafting 5th or later, right now him and Maluach are my guys.

[Rapsfan07]

I mean am I crazy for thinking we draft Tre Johnson to be our pseudo starting PG? Barnes and Barrett get a ton of possession initiation anyway, and why can't Tre Johnson be a better version of Quickley. He has true star potential.

I am convinced Quickley is not a true starting PG, anyway. Picks up his dribble way too often, has no bag to create his own shot, and cannot finish at the rim. He is essentially providing value as a pull-up threat and catch and shoot option. Now, Johnson is bigger and can create off the dribble as well as shoot from anywhere on the floor. I kind of think of him as a Devin Booker type of player.

Tre Johnson
Barrett
Barnes
Ingram
Poeltl

Quickley
Dick
Walter
Mogbo?
Robinson?

That's a potent offense with some obvious defensive issues, but I like Johnson because if we move off RJ he can fill in, and he has a hope of becoming an all-star more than most of the other options outside the top two in the class.

I think if we are drafting 5th & he hasn't been taken, you almost have to take him based on potential. He has that star level confidence & is extremely talented. I have read that his defensive capability is decent, with untapped potential. He also has excellent passing skills. It seems to me that he is a good fit overall due to his passing & shooting ability. If he becomes James Harden lite, that is a huge get.

I agree with you about running him at PG sometimes.

If we are drafting 5th or later, right now him and Maluach are my guys.

Yeah Tre Johnson has moved up on my list as well - enough to want to keep the pick if it falls in the Top 5 as opposed to Top 4.

Still no to Maluach for me though.

[Dalek]

For big men there continues to be a lot of media attention on Joan Beringer being the best European draft player.
I have seen Givony mock him as high as 12, and now Vecenie is saying he is rising up in NBC circles. It is just hard to get film on him because he is the Adriatic League, but he is improving his game quickly with his first professional contract. This is a guy who never played pro and only has played ball for 3 years.

Height/Weight: 6'11", 240 lbs
Wingspan: 7'3"
Birthdate: November 11, 2006

Body wise he really reminds me of Jarrett Allen and he is similarly impactful on defense.
2.8 block rate
.614 TS%
0.60 FT%

Overall, he is such a +athlete. Runs with long strides and just moves well in space, huge catch radius and challenges every shot.

Read on Twitter

This video shows how bouncy the guy is. Just a freak athlete at his size.

Read on Twitter

He is learning English but seems like he is progressing well and lots of people rave about his demeanor and how calm he is at such a young age. He is a project but somehow I have him ahead of Maluach because I see a better motor and fluidity.

Watch on YouTube

[Naysorn]

get me a future MVP at #5 please.

just make it happen. idc if it's slim pickings. make it happen.

[S.W.A.N]

Barring lottery luck and the possibility the Raptors slip to 7th or 8th, it feels like the writing is on the wall about the draft. Maluach has the long term Ujiri connections and he also fills a long term position of need with the team. I'm not a fan but I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

I've been comparing highlights and stats of Maluach to Lively II and Mark Williams. My biggest concern, like everyone else, is that it doesn't seem Maluach has the same feel for the game as those guys. It is evident in his ast%, stl%, and blk%. On the bright side there is comparable rebound rates, WS/40, and BPM. While Lively and Williams have a better overall feel for the game, Maluach definitely has the better touch, including around the rim, from deep, and ft.

What might be the biggest saving grace for Maluach (for me at least) is in his freshman year he is a year younger than Williams and 2.5 years younger than Lively plus Maluach didn't start playing basketball until 12-13 years old. When you consider what Maluach is doing with the experience and age disadvantage of Lively and Williams, I'm starting to feel a bit better about the prospects of drafting him.

Full disclosure: I'm really talking myself into this

I think its really not a hard sell.

Focus on his defense. Watch him move. He looks like a 7'2 who doesn't have to be played in drop.
Offense. He sets really good screens and hits his free throws and dunks everything at the rim. That is a solid base to work from.

I'd love to draft him and have him spend a couple years learning how to defend from Yak and Scottie.

It might not be the sexiest pick but I think he has a solid floor and a massive ceiling.

[Naysorn]

Barring lottery luck and the possibility the Raptors slip to 7th or 8th, it feels like the writing is on the wall about the draft. Maluach has the long term Ujiri connections and he also fills a long term position of need with the team. I'm not a fan but I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

I've been comparing highlights and stats of Maluach to Lively II and Mark Williams. My biggest concern, like everyone else, is that it doesn't seem Maluach has the same feel for the game as those guys. It is evident in his ast%, stl%, and blk%. On the bright side there is comparable rebound rates, WS/40, and BPM. While Lively and Williams have a better overall feel for the game, Maluach definitely has the better touch, including around the rim, from deep, and ft.

What might be the biggest saving grace for Maluach (for me at least) is in his freshman year he is a year younger than Williams and 2.5 years younger than Lively plus Maluach didn't start playing basketball until 12-13 years old. When you consider what Maluach is doing with the experience and age disadvantage of Lively and Williams, I'm starting to feel a bit better about the prospects of drafting him.

Full disclosure: I'm really talking myself into this

I think its really not a hard sell.

Focus on his defense. Watch him move. He looks like a 7'2 who doesn't have to be played in drop.
Offense. He sets really good screens and hits his free throws and dunks everything at the rim. That is a solid base to work from.

I'd love to draft him and have him spend a couple years learning how to defend from Yak and Scottie.

It might not be the sexiest pick but I think he has a solid floor and a massive ceiling.

whats the ceiling?

[DreamTeam09]

For big men there continues to be a lot of media attention on Joan Beringer being the best European draft player.
I have seen Givony mock him as high as 12, and now Vecenie is saying he is rising up in NBC circles. It is just hard to get film on him because he is the Adriatic League, but he is improving his game quickly with his first professional contract. This is a guy who never played pro and only has played ball for 3 years.

Height/Weight: 6'11", 240 lbs
Wingspan: 7'3"
Birthdate: November 11, 2006

Body wise he really reminds me of Jarrett Allen and he is similarly impactful on defense.
2.8 block rate
.614 TS%
0.60 FT%

Overall, he is such a +athlete. Runs with long strides and just moves well in space, huge catch radius and challenges every shot.

Read on Twitter

This video shows how bouncy the guy is. Just a freak athlete at his size.

Read on Twitter

He is learning English but seems like he is progressing well and lots of people rave about his demeanor and how calm he is at such a young age. He is a project but somehow I have him ahead of Maluach because I see a better motor and fluidity.

Watch on YouTube

He does move well, but if he's under 7ft he's undersized to me, I have Khaman being just as mobile and taller/bigger

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

One of the positives with Johnson is his TOV% as it is lower than any of the NBA comparables and he also has a dimensional advantage over them. But his athletic markers are poorer and so is his driving and rim game. I've seen some nice transition passes from him and standstill but I'm not sure how much passing upside he has off the bounce in the HC if he's a bit lethargic as a driver.

[S.W.A.N]

For big men there continues to be a lot of media attention on Joan Beringer being the best European draft player.
I have seen Givony mock him as high as 12, and now Vecenie is saying he is rising up in NBC circles. It is just hard to get film on him because he is the Adriatic League, but he is improving his game quickly with his first professional contract. This is a guy who never played pro and only has played ball for 3 years.

Height/Weight: 6'11", 240 lbs
Wingspan: 7'3"
Birthdate: November 11, 2006

Body wise he really reminds me of Jarrett Allen and he is similarly impactful on defense.
2.8 block rate
.614 TS%
0.60 FT%

Overall, he is such a +athlete. Runs with long strides and just moves well in space, huge catch radius and challenges every shot.

Read on Twitter

This video shows how bouncy the guy is. Just a freak athlete at his size.

Read on Twitter

He is learning English but seems like he is progressing well and lots of people rave about his demeanor and how calm he is at such a young age. He is a project but somehow I have him ahead of Maluach because I see a better motor and fluidity.

Watch on YouTube

Hopefully he keeps looking good.

It would be perfect if there were 3-4 high end C options in the draft around our draft range.

I haven't paid enough attention to have him higher than Kaman or Queen or Asa, and his offensive numbers aren't as good as any of the college guys but you had me at Jarrett Allen.