2025 NBA Draft

[Idiosyncratic]

Pretty much, I'm not big on going heavy on trades where we're not getting a star back, but the value in getting Khaman is not only the fit/talent of his, but the flexibility it would afford our team, especially with how the current CBA is. By the time Khaman's rookie contract is complete, the NBPA will have a new negotiated CBA done, and hopefully one that doesn't restrict teams spending as much as the current. A trade for him would give us the ability to trade for a PG that could be making 30-40+ mil if the Devos show they're willing to pay 1st apron.

I wonder how receptive Phili would be about making a trade there, so tough to know how they'd want to take the direction of their team moving forward with the question marks around PG & Embiid, considering Maxey is young and ready to contribute on a high level.

The fit of AB next to Maxey would be great, and if we do the 2nd option of yours (which I think is more likely), would solidify a 3 man guard rotation for them for the next 5+ years.

You can bet that teams with higher draft picks will be reaching out to us about trade packages of our 2 picks. This draft is really deep and there will be teams who fall in love with a player back in the draft. Tier 1 is Cooper. Tier 2 is Harper, Ace, Edgecombe, and maybe Jakucionis. Tier 3 is pretty deep (picks 5-15/16), same with Tier 4. Our pick will be fringe Tier 3. The Denver pick will be Tier 4

Agree with what you are saying about trades in general. But I think there are going to be some teams in the process that have Maluach over even Ace and definitely over Jakucionis. I think there is maybe a chance he slips, but also think there's a chance some team values him top 6 or so, so I really don't think he will slip to a trade up range. In theory I don't have a problem with it though.

There might be, we're all in this thread kinda jumping the gun. The tournament can move players around alot, and then chatter as the draft approaches really starts to solidify the draft order, and of course the draft order wont be what the odds have as allocated as some teams will jump and drop, let alone teams odds will change as we approach the end

I'm just hopeful, because he makes too much sense for us not to try to get

Yup agree, tournament and combine can move things around. Think especially some of the overseas players stocks can be pretty volatile still too. Could see Essengue and Traore especially climbing boards. I guess right now I am kind of just thinking of things with regards to my own idea of a board, I think the public mocks are really late to react to risers and fallers.

Regardless there even stands a chance we don't even make a 1st round pick. A lot could happen, just fun to speculate.

[Skybox]

Agree with what you are saying about trades in general. But I think there are going to be some teams in the process that have Maluach over even Ace and definitely over Jakucionis. I think there is maybe a chance he slips, but also think there's a chance some team values him top 6 or so, so I really don't think he will slip to a trade up range. In theory I don't have a problem with it though.

There might be, we're all in this thread kinda jumping the gun. The tournament can move players around alot, and then chatter as the draft approaches really starts to solidify the draft order, and of course the draft order wont be what the odds have as allocated as some teams will jump and drop, let alone teams odds will change as we approach the end

I'm just hopeful, because he makes too much sense for us not to try to get

Yup agree, tournament and combine can move things around. Think especially some of the overseas players stocks can be pretty volatile still too. Could see Essengue and Traore especially climbing boards. I guess right now I am kind of just thinking of things with regards to my own idea of a board, I think the public mocks are really late to react to risers and fallers.

Regardless there even stands a chance we don't even make a 1st round pick. A lot could happen, just fun to speculate.

Absolutely...a lot will change in draftee ratings and I normally scoff at the idea that adding a late one (DEN) will entice anybody to drop back - the thing that makes it seem possibly plausible is the fact that so many teams that will be drafting in that area already have an equally promising young Center (or are stuck betting on Embiid), so they might listen to the idea. At least, to my limited knowledge, it also looks like a pretty flat draft after the first 2 or (for some) 3...I could absolutely see Maluach ending up at 3 if he shows out in the tourney (or dropping if not)...I mentioned PHI just to start the "game", but it could be a lot of teams. I'd LOVE McCain, but it's admittedly unlikely. POR would be great because they have Clingan (and Ayton and Time Lord), so a bigger trade involving Simons makes sense for both. Could say the same for UTA re: Kessler in house and Sexton to us. A very real chance we are IN the lottery and could pull another Pat Williams Memorial Draft Miracle and jump up enough to just grab Maluach or get close enough to make a painless trade.

[Ducklett]

I am a braindead omega homer but I can't imagine that UF's Walter Clayton Jr, a 1st team all-american, wouldn't bring immediate help to this roster. Should be pretty free in the 2nd round to grab him.

[Idiosyncratic]

I am a braindead omega homer but I can't imagine that UF's Walter Clayton Jr, a 1st team all-american, wouldn't bring immediate help to this roster. Should be pretty free in the 2nd round to grab him.

A lot of potential flawed 2nd round guards that can shoot/score that I think would be interesting next to a bigger defender like AB off the bench. Clayton, Proctor and Lanier are some of the really obvious ones.

[Skybox]

I am a braindead omega homer but I can't imagine that UF's Walter Clayton Jr, a 1st team all-american, wouldn't bring immediate help to this roster. Should be pretty free in the 2nd round to grab him.

Yeah...I mentioned him before...not really sure what the questions are...definitely a gamer and a shooter, right?

Oh no, he'll be 22yo, Senior...washed up

Tankathon does have him mocked to us with the BOS srp

[Ducklett]

I am a braindead omega homer but I can't imagine that UF's Walter Clayton Jr, a 1st team all-american, wouldn't bring immediate help to this roster. Should be pretty free in the 2nd round to grab him.

Yeah...I mentioned him before...not really sure what the questions are...definitely a gamer and a shooter, right?

Oh no, he'll be 22yo, Senior...washed up

Tankathon does have him mocked to us with the BOS srp

I just mean watching him the tournament vs watching him in the regular season... dude has found a way to be THE guy and is beating all manner of other NBA level talent they throw at him.

[MasterGMer]

First of all, I am not on the Malauch train. He is overrated and we have to be careful drafting big man in the lottery. Mo Bamba, anyone?

But at the same production, what about UCF's Moustpha Thiam, a freshman also, while averaging 2.6 blocks per game.

He could be there for our Denver pick or even maybe in the second round.

I am just not sold on Malauch. I do not know his growth will be. But at that high range, I am not convinced

We also have to realize draft is flawed. The success of the school and media ranking can actually dictate how draft goes. That is just not smart. Some guys like Thiam is over looked for various of reasons like the school he plays for. Yes, UCF is not Duke. But look at the production plus the competitiveness of the games he played, Big 12. He could be interesting. Plus he could be there for us even out of lottery.

[VFX]

As a Duke fan I’m not a fan of Maluach as a high pick. I think he lacks good instincts and I just believe you have to be extremely special to get drafted in the top 10 as a Center. The upside value just usually isn’t there.

If they don’t trade the pick, I’m pretty much on board with a point guard with our own pick and a Center with Denver’s pick.

A lot of guys fall into those categories and I’ll be fine with either as long as the point guard can shoot and the Center can defend the rim.

[ogmagicfan]

First of all, I am not on the Malauch train. He is overrated and we have to be careful drafting big man in the lottery. Mo Bamba, anyone?

But at the same production, what about UCF's Moustpha Thiam, a freshman also, while averaging 2.6 blocks per game.

He could be there for our Denver pick or even maybe in the second round.

I am just not sold on Malauch. I do not know his growth will be. But at that high range, I am not convinced

We also have to realize draft is flawed. The success of the school and media ranking can actually dictate how draft goes. That is just not smart. Some guys like Thiam is over looked for various of reasons like the school he plays for. Yes, UCF is not Duke. But look at the production plus the competitiveness of the games he played, Big 12. He could be interesting. Plus he could be there for us even out of lottery.

Mo Bamba's problem is he lacks a motor. Khaman's motor is one of his best strengths. Only started playing basketball 5-6 years ago as well. He has room to grow as a player.

I'm not familiar with Thiam, but I'm surprised not to see him on any mocks after seeing his stats/some clips of him. Definite sleeper.

[RookieStar]

What kind of rookie do you think we get? A TDS type ready to contribute? Or a AB type who is raw but tremendous ceiling for us to cobtribute?

[basketballRob]

Malauch won't be there at 16. Noa Essengue is intriguing.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[pepe1991]

Problem with Malauch and in general players without much basketball experience are instincts.

At college, you plant him as 7'1 dude below rim and tell him to disrupt shots. College bigs don't defend switches, there simply isn't enough space, nor enough quality on offense, nor fundamental knowledge among players to take advantage of players being overcommited to either help or defend straight up.


College bigs with any offensive talent tend to look like gods at college for several reasons:
1) very few players are actually tall enough to bother them
2) even fewer among tall ones are actually -skilled.

Most college PF/C positions are filled by bunch of 6'8- 6'10 people who are hardly coordinated. You know- like putting fattest kid on a goal at soccer, that's how C position is filled in unprofessional sports.
Bol Bol at college looked like combo of Shaq, Hakeem and Wilt.

Bol isn't only one who elite. James Wiseman, Mark Williams, Jah, Bagley, Vonleh, Jabari Smith, Hayes, Bamba....

There is lot more on defense, but especially on offense than just camp below rim for block or catch ally oop to dunk. And that's where my scepticism about his instincts starts. He didn't play basketball as kid when kids develop feeling for sport, for pace, when to do what.
He learned all of that because somebody told him he should do that.

Best proof of complete lack of basketball instincts is viewed through his assists numbers. 16 total in 32 games. On 26 TOs. He isn't TO prone, but - once ball gets to him he will either lose it or dunk it. And that's not how nba game is played. Bigs get touches, bigs need to be part of offense, they need to leave paint often, they need to be useful and not just camp below rim, because rules don't allow them to camp.

On defense, same story, vs waaaaaaay faster guards and wings that he ever faced, he will be tasked to guard space. And he won't be able to stay below rim for full possession because, once again, ulike at college, nba forbids such defense.
He also isn't that elite at shotblocking nor rebounding, despite all the advantages he has.

He has athletic tools. But there is realistic scenario where you get him, send him to NBA and ask yourself "wtf is dude doing" - for years. And throw that famous " Bruno Cobocolo- 2 years away from being 2 ways away".

[OnlyFranz22]

Obi Agbim- Wyoming.

FREAK ATHLETE

https://youtu.be/iA62Nzut4JQ?si=Iotxrr0Ke_n_ZVN-

[VFX]

Problem with Malauch and in general players without much basketball experience are instincts.

At college, you plant him as 7'1 dude below rim and tell him to disrupt shots. College bigs don't defend switches, there simply isn't enough space, nor enough quality on offense, nor fundamental knowledge among players to take advantage of players being overcommited to either help or defend straight up.


College bigs with any offensive talent tend to look like gods at college for several reasons:
1) very few players are actually tall enough to bother them
2) even fewer among tall ones are actually -skilled.

Most college PF/C positions are filled by bunch of 6'8- 6'10 people who are hardly coordinated. You know- like putting fattest kid on a goal at soccer, that's how C position is filled in unprofessional sports.
Bol Bol at college looked like combo of Shaq, Hakeem and Wilt.

Bol isn't only one who elite. James Wiseman, Mark Williams, Jah, Bagley, Vonleh, Jabari Smith, Hayes, Bamba....

There is lot more on defense, but especially on offense than just camp below rim for block or catch ally oop to dunk. And that's where my scepticism about his instincts starts. He didn't play basketball as kid when kids develop feeling for sport, for pace, when to do what.
He learned all of that because somebody told him he should do that.

Best proof of complete lack of basketball instincts is viewed through his assists numbers. 16 total in 32 games. On 26 TOs. He isn't TO prone, but - once ball gets to him he will either lose it or dunk it. And that's not how nba game is played. Bigs get touches, bigs need to be part of offense, they need to leave paint often, they need to be useful and not just camp below rim, because rules don't allow them to camp.

On defense, same story, vs waaaaaaay faster guards and wings that he ever faced, he will be tasked to guard space. And he won't be able to stay below rim for full possession because, once again, ulike at college, nba forbids such defense.
He also isn't that elite at shotblocking nor rebounding, despite all the advantages he has.

He has athletic tools. But there is realistic scenario where you get him, send him to NBA and ask yourself "wtf is dude doing" - for years. And throw that famous " Bruno Cobocolo- 2 years away from being 2 ways away".

He's is the definition of "lumbering". His instincts aren't great. He's just tall with long arms that can catch lobs. Basically a 7'3 Wendell Carter that actually uses his size to his advantage. Maluach wishes he had 1/6th the kind of feel for the game guys like Bam or Chet do entering the league.

Mark Williams, if healthy, is just a significantly better player as a "shorter" guy positionally. Just more energy, bounce, and feel around the rim.

Centers are huge hit or miss guys when you are drafting if they arent some hidden gem Jokic or surefire Wembanyama at the very top of the draft. There is just too much guesswork involved with them adapting into a specific role based on their work ethic and developing footwork etc. Outside of those two archetypes, they should be avoided entirely in the lotto (top 15 picks).

I'd even go as far to say the same for non versatile PF's/Centers. The skillsets just dont scale with value. These tweener athletic bigs over the last decade have been far more miss than hit. Those 6'7-6'9 bigs that cannot guard faster wings just have no real place on the court if they also cannot shoot.

[OnlyFranz22]

Obi Agbim- Wyoming.

FREAK ATHLETE

https://youtu.be/iA62Nzut4JQ?si=Iotxrr0Ke_n_ZVN-

Guess he has another year of college if he wants it and entered the transfer portal.

[Skybox]

Problem with Malauch and in general players without much basketball experience are instincts.

At college, you plant him as 7'1 dude below rim and tell him to disrupt shots. College bigs don't defend switches, there simply isn't enough space, nor enough quality on offense, nor fundamental knowledge among players to take advantage of players being overcommited to either help or defend straight up.


College bigs with any offensive talent tend to look like gods at college for several reasons:
1) very few players are actually tall enough to bother them
2) even fewer among tall ones are actually -skilled.

Most college PF/C positions are filled by bunch of 6'8- 6'10 people who are hardly coordinated. You know- like putting fattest kid on a goal at soccer, that's how C position is filled in unprofessional sports.
Bol Bol at college looked like combo of Shaq, Hakeem and Wilt.

Bol isn't only one who elite. James Wiseman, Mark Williams, Jah, Bagley, Vonleh, Jabari Smith, Hayes, Bamba....

There is lot more on defense, but especially on offense than just camp below rim for block or catch ally oop to dunk. And that's where my scepticism about his instincts starts. He didn't play basketball as kid when kids develop feeling for sport, for pace, when to do what.
He learned all of that because somebody told him he should do that.

Best proof of complete lack of basketball instincts is viewed through his assists numbers. 16 total in 32 games. On 26 TOs. He isn't TO prone, but - once ball gets to him he will either lose it or dunk it. And that's not how nba game is played. Bigs get touches, bigs need to be part of offense, they need to leave paint often, they need to be useful and not just camp below rim, because rules don't allow them to camp.

On defense, same story, vs waaaaaaay faster guards and wings that he ever faced, he will be tasked to guard space. And he won't be able to stay below rim for full possession because, once again, ulike at college, nba forbids such defense.
He also isn't that elite at shotblocking nor rebounding, despite all the advantages he has.

He has athletic tools. But there is realistic scenario where you get him, send him to NBA and ask yourself "wtf is dude doing" - for years. And throw that famous " Bruno Cobocolo- 2 years away from being 2 ways away".

He's is the definition of "lumbering". His instincts aren't great. He's just tall with long arms that can catch lobs. Basically a 7'3 Wendell Carter that actually uses his size to his advantage. Maluach wishes he had 1/6th the kind of feel for the game guys like Bam or Chet do entering the league.

Mark Williams, if healthy, is just a significantly better player as a "shorter" guy positionally. Just more energy, bounce, and feel around the rim.

Centers are huge hit or miss guys when you are drafting if they arent some hidden gem Jokic or surefire Wembanyama at the very top of the draft. There is just too much guesswork involved with them adapting into a specific role based on their work ethic and developing footwork etc. Outside of those two archetypes, they should be avoided entirely in the lotto (top 15 picks).

I'd even go as far to say the same for non versatile PF's/Centers. The skillsets just dont scale with value. These tweener athletic bigs over the last decade have been far more miss than hit. Those 6'7-6'9 bigs that cannot guard faster wings just have no real place on the court if they also cannot shoot.

I've seen YouTube analysts (I know ) highlighting Maluach's defensive footwork and agility...not "lumbering".

If he's that big and can slide, run, and jump...Mose can do wonders with him, imo. He seems to play with a motor too.

[Idiosyncratic]

First of all, I am not on the Malauch train. He is overrated and we have to be careful drafting big man in the lottery. Mo Bamba, anyone?

But at the same production, what about UCF's Moustpha Thiam, a freshman also, while averaging 2.6 blocks per game.

He could be there for our Denver pick or even maybe in the second round.

I am just not sold on Malauch. I do not know his growth will be. But at that high range, I am not convinced

We also have to realize draft is flawed. The success of the school and media ranking can actually dictate how draft goes. That is just not smart. Some guys like Thiam is over looked for various of reasons like the school he plays for. Yes, UCF is not Duke. But look at the production plus the competitiveness of the games he played, Big 12. He could be interesting. Plus he could be there for us even out of lottery.

I think if he declares he would be taken in the 2nd. I see him going back and trying to have a huge year next year. But I mean if he comes out add that to this deep 2nd round. Needs to work on the rebounding, but very intriguing prospect.

[cedric76]

Nique Clifford is looking good in our range

Do it all player that can defend, rebound AND shoot the 3 (6'8 wingspan)

[Idiosyncratic]

Nique Clifford is looking good in our range

Do it all player that can defend, rebound AND shoot the 3 (6'8 wingspan)

The TDS of this draft for me. Wouldn't be mad at it. Depends who is on the board at the time.

[Idiosyncratic]

Nique Clifford is looking good in our range

Do it all player that can defend, rebound AND shoot the 3 (6'8 wingspan)

The TDS of this draft for me. Wouldn't be mad at it. Depends who is on the board at the time.

To add to this -- I would rather have one of the upside ball-handlers or a potential future starting center with our 1st pick.

I do like the rebounding numbers on Clifford though, how much of it is being a 5th year guy? I guess that is the question. My problem with taking a 2 guard is there are so many in the 2nd round that can shoot the lights out where if I am drafting for a Suggs backup I would rather just take a swing on one of those guys.

I don't dislike Clifford though. Great value at the Nuggets pick, if he rises to near lottery, not sure. I think Colorado State's game with Memphis Friday could be a good one though looking forward to it.