2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 4

[DreamTeam09]

Two years away from being two years away

His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years at Duke and he is 1 year younger than Williams was and 2 years younger than Lively II.

As a lob threat, the stats can be the same, but the Block and Assist are far behind.

Mark Williams (So year):
Blk 11.3%
AST 6.9% (9.5% previous year)
Unassisted at rim 23%

Lively:
Blk 12.8%
AST 9.8%
Unassisted at rim 25%

Maluach
Blk 6.9%
AST 4.2%
Unassisted at rim 20%

How can someone this tall with such low Block rate (half of other shot blocker) and his assist is not proven yet (just a finisher).
I am not saying he won't be an elite high-end 3&D rim protector, but the stats is way below other proven ones being drafted at the top.

He is just being drafted for potential. Two years away from being two years away.

Because he plays on the the perimeter the most out of all of them on defense. He switches too much actually but that's Duke trapping and hedging. He's the most mobile out of all of them while being 250 7'2.

We have a shot at leaving this draft with the 1st 5 man off the board. Either the best defensive big (Maluach) or the best offensive big (Queen)

[PushDaRock]

His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years at Duke and he is 1 year younger than Williams was and 2 years younger than Lively II.

As a lob threat, the stats can be the same, but the Block and Assist are far behind.

Mark Williams (So year):
Blk 11.3%
AST 6.9% (9.5% previous year)
Unassisted at rim 23%

Lively:
Blk 12.8%
AST 9.8%
Unassisted at rim 25%

Maluach
Blk 6.9%
AST 4.2%
Unassisted at rim 20%

How can someone this tall with such low Block rate (half of other shot blocker) and his assist is not proven yet (just a finisher).
I am not saying he won't be an elite high-end 3&D rim protector, but the stats is way below other proven ones being drafted at the top.

He is just being drafted for potential. Two years away from being two years away.

I can be selective in stats too to prove a point.

Those are some of the stats I had in mind when I said “His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years…”

Should be noted as the season progressed he’s played better. 1.2 blks per game (30 games) in non-conference and conference play and 2.0 blks per game (8 games) in March Madness. With a player that young and raw, that’s what you’re looking for.

Good reads:

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/khaman-maluach-unicorns-arent-real

From swish theory:

“Duke’s defense has a ridiculous 86.7 defensive rating when Khaman is on the court, compared to a still elite 90.1 when off. However, their opponents’ rim shooting goes down a sharp 12 percentage points from 57% to 45% when Maluach is on the court, and on lower volume, too (numbers versus top 100 teams only).”

I’d take lower rim percentage over higher blk % fwiw

There are definite question marks about his game and rate of development, but I won’t mind if he’s the pick. Raptors have earned my trust in their selections.

I wouldn't even worry about the blocks numbers too much, he's contesting well even if not blocking a ton of shots. As we know, blocked shots doesn't mean good D either, especially when some guys sell out for the blocked shot, don't get it and are out of position and leave an uncontested offensive board to their guy.

The steals number is what pops out more, he has 8 steals total on the year. That's a ridiculously low number for someone with his kind of length who should be getting some of them just by accident.

[ArthurVandelay]

As a lob threat, the stats can be the same, but the Block and Assist are far behind.

Mark Williams (So year):
Blk 11.3%
AST 6.9% (9.5% previous year)
Unassisted at rim 23%

Lively:
Blk 12.8%
AST 9.8%
Unassisted at rim 25%

Maluach
Blk 6.9%
AST 4.2%
Unassisted at rim 20%

How can someone this tall with such low Block rate (half of other shot blocker) and his assist is not proven yet (just a finisher).
I am not saying he won't be an elite high-end 3&D rim protector, but the stats is way below other proven ones being drafted at the top.

He is just being drafted for potential. Two years away from being two years away.

I can be selective in stats too to prove a point.

Those are some of the stats I had in mind when I said “His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years…”

Should be noted as the season progressed he’s played better. 1.2 blks per game (30 games) in non-conference and conference play and 2.0 blks per game (8 games) in March Madness. With a player that young and raw, that’s what you’re looking for.

Good reads:

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/khaman-maluach-unicorns-arent-real

From swish theory:

“Duke’s defense has a ridiculous 86.7 defensive rating when Khaman is on the court, compared to a still elite 90.1 when off. However, their opponents’ rim shooting goes down a sharp 12 percentage points from 57% to 45% when Maluach is on the court, and on lower volume, too (numbers versus top 100 teams only).”

I’d take lower rim percentage over higher blk % fwiw

There are definite question marks about his game and rate of development, but I won’t mind if he’s the pick. Raptors have earned my trust in their selections.

So you mean other teams against Lively, Mark Williams, and other elite defensive bigs would not have lower rim percentage, yet, only Maluach could have done this? Sounds like a generation talent.

Keep in mind, the defensive rating or rim percentage is also a team rating, it may not necessarily be Maluach alone, while Flagg and others may also contribute to it.

Now you’re moving goal posts.

I said they had comparable stats overall, with some better and some worse.

And again, Maluach is putting up comparable numbers as a freshman as an 18 year old when Williams was 19 and Lively 20. Plus he has been playing for 5 years.

He has better TS%, FTr, Reb%, WS/40, BPM as a freshman than either.

I’m not saying the blk% and ast% aren’t concerns, they are. But I’m not going to put the whole evaluation and projection on two stats either.

FWIW over the last 8 games Maluach has raised his blk% from 5.8 to 6.9%. Again, another example of progress and him playing better as the games matter more and competition gets harder.

[Indeed]

I can be selective in stats too to prove a point.

Those are some of the stats I had in mind when I said “His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years…”

Should be noted as the season progressed he’s played better. 1.2 blks per game (30 games) in non-conference and conference play and 2.0 blks per game (8 games) in March Madness. With a player that young and raw, that’s what you’re looking for.

Good reads:

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/khaman-maluach-unicorns-arent-real

From swish theory:

“Duke’s defense has a ridiculous 86.7 defensive rating when Khaman is on the court, compared to a still elite 90.1 when off. However, their opponents’ rim shooting goes down a sharp 12 percentage points from 57% to 45% when Maluach is on the court, and on lower volume, too (numbers versus top 100 teams only).”

I’d take lower rim percentage over higher blk % fwiw

There are definite question marks about his game and rate of development, but I won’t mind if he’s the pick. Raptors have earned my trust in their selections.

So you mean other teams against Lively, Mark Williams, and other elite defensive bigs would not have lower rim percentage, yet, only Maluach could have done this? Sounds like a generation talent.

Keep in mind, the defensive rating or rim percentage is also a team rating, it may not necessarily be Maluach alone, while Flagg and others may also contribute to it.

Now you’re moving goal posts.

I said they had comparable stats overall, with some better and some worse.

And again, Maluach is putting up comparable numbers as a freshman as an 18 year old when Williams was 19 and Lively 20. Plus he has been playing for 5 years.

He has better TS%, FTr, Reb%, WS/40, BPM as a freshman than either.

I’m not saying the blk% and ast% aren’t concerns, they are. But I’m not going to put the whole evaluation and projection on two stats either.

FWIW over the last 8 games Maluach has raised his blk% from 5.8 to 6.9%. Again, another example of progress and him playing better as the games matter more and competition gets harder.

So what is wrong for me saying him "two years from being two years"?
He is a year young, and to me, that is at least two years away from other bigs being drafted that high, no?

All you are pointing is "potential", which isn't it exactly what I am saying "two years from being two years", and that is the only thing I said, no?

[WuTang_OG]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[WuTang_OG]

https://youtube.com/shorts/DtnHQ-kiA78?si=d17VbIgBD3VOWQ36

I see shades.of Ray Allen in his shooting.

Where? RA had a unique shot because it wasn't one motion. He would jump and use a lot of arms for his shot and barely any knees.
Dont see that here.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years at Duke and he is 1 year younger than Williams was and 2 years younger than Lively II.

As a lob threat, the stats can be the same, but the Block and Assist are far behind.

Mark Williams (So year):
Blk 11.3%
AST 6.9% (9.5% previous year)
Unassisted at rim 23%

Lively:
Blk 12.8%
AST 9.8%
Unassisted at rim 25%

Maluach
Blk 6.9%
AST 4.2%
Unassisted at rim 20%

How can someone this tall with such low Block rate (half of other shot blocker) and his assist is not proven yet (just a finisher).
I am not saying he won't be an elite high-end 3&D rim protector, but the stats is way below other proven ones being drafted at the top.

He is just being drafted for potential. Two years away from being two years away.

I can be selective in stats too to prove a point.

Those are some of the stats I had in mind when I said “His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years…”

Should be noted as the season progressed he’s played better. 1.2 blks per game (30 games) in non-conference and conference play and 2.0 blks per game (8 games) in March Madness. With a player that young and raw, that’s what you’re looking for.

Good reads:

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/khaman-maluach-unicorns-arent-real

From swish theory:

“Duke’s defense has a ridiculous 86.7 defensive rating when Khaman is on the court, compared to a still elite 90.1 when off. However, their opponents’ rim shooting goes down a sharp 12 percentage points from 57% to 45% when Maluach is on the court, and on lower volume, too (numbers versus top 100 teams only).”

I’d take lower rim percentage over higher blk % fwiw

There are definite question marks about his game and rate of development, but I won’t mind if he’s the pick. Raptors have earned my trust in their selections.

Blk% is becoming less relevant in analytics these days, now the big stat is blk recovered% because there are fundamental differences in the way players block shots. Something shady from Khaman is that a lot of his blocks are swats out of bounds that he doesn't even attempt to keep in play. It would be interesting to know the % of blocks recovered as it's a statistic that is tracked in NBA but not in college as far as I'm aware.

[Indeed]

As a lob threat, the stats can be the same, but the Block and Assist are far behind.

Mark Williams (So year):
Blk 11.3%
AST 6.9% (9.5% previous year)
Unassisted at rim 23%

Lively:
Blk 12.8%
AST 9.8%
Unassisted at rim 25%

Maluach
Blk 6.9%
AST 4.2%
Unassisted at rim 20%

How can someone this tall with such low Block rate (half of other shot blocker) and his assist is not proven yet (just a finisher).
I am not saying he won't be an elite high-end 3&D rim protector, but the stats is way below other proven ones being drafted at the top.

He is just being drafted for potential. Two years away from being two years away.

I can be selective in stats too to prove a point.

Those are some of the stats I had in mind when I said “His stats are comparable (better in some areas, worse in others) relative to Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams in their freshman years…”

Should be noted as the season progressed he’s played better. 1.2 blks per game (30 games) in non-conference and conference play and 2.0 blks per game (8 games) in March Madness. With a player that young and raw, that’s what you’re looking for.

Good reads:

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/khaman-maluach-unicorns-arent-real

From swish theory:

“Duke’s defense has a ridiculous 86.7 defensive rating when Khaman is on the court, compared to a still elite 90.1 when off. However, their opponents’ rim shooting goes down a sharp 12 percentage points from 57% to 45% when Maluach is on the court, and on lower volume, too (numbers versus top 100 teams only).”

I’d take lower rim percentage over higher blk % fwiw

There are definite question marks about his game and rate of development, but I won’t mind if he’s the pick. Raptors have earned my trust in their selections.

Blk% is becoming less relevant in analytics these days, now the big stat is blk recovered% because there are fundamental differences in the way players block shots. Something shady from Khaman is that a lot of his blocks are swats out of bounds that he doesn't even attempt to keep in play. It would be interesting to know the % of blocks recovered as it's a statistic that is tracked in NBA but not in college as far as I'm aware.

Indeed, not I can find from college stats, neither DFG%, BLK Recovered, nor paint impacting stats.
Appreciate those sites who track some of the advance stats for free.

[WuTang_OG]

I have Essengue and Newell climbing up on Raps targets

[Indeed]

I have Essengue and Newell climbing up on Raps targets

I can see Essengue, already developed some handle and 3 point shooting.
Newell for me needs to measure out to be a C, otherwise, he seems to be lacking some perimeter skill set to play at PF.

[ArthurVandelay]

So you mean other teams against Lively, Mark Williams, and other elite defensive bigs would not have lower rim percentage, yet, only Maluach could have done this? Sounds like a generation talent.

Keep in mind, the defensive rating or rim percentage is also a team rating, it may not necessarily be Maluach alone, while Flagg and others may also contribute to it.

Now you’re moving goal posts.

I said they had comparable stats overall, with some better and some worse.

And again, Maluach is putting up comparable numbers as a freshman as an 18 year old when Williams was 19 and Lively 20. Plus he has been playing for 5 years.

He has better TS%, FTr, Reb%, WS/40, BPM as a freshman than either.

I’m not saying the blk% and ast% aren’t concerns, they are. But I’m not going to put the whole evaluation and projection on two stats either.

FWIW over the last 8 games Maluach has raised his blk% from 5.8 to 6.9%. Again, another example of progress and him playing better as the games matter more and competition gets harder.

So what is wrong for me saying him "two years from being two years"?
He is a year young, and to me, that is at least two years away from other bigs being drafted that high, no?

All you are pointing is "potential", which isn't it exactly what I am saying "two years from being two years", and that is the only thing I said, no?

Yeah, I'm probably misinterpreting 2 years away from 2 years away. My interpretation of that line is it being more of a slander and a guy who never develops....like our very own Bruno the OG 2 years away....

[Psubs]

Trade #7/8 to Miami for #11 and #22.

Trade #11 and #39 to Orlando for #15 and #25.

#15 - Carter Bryant
#22 - Rasheer Fleming (or Yaxel Lendeborg)
#25 - Alex Condon

Would like to trade Agbaji for a pick to get Sergio de Larrea and stash him for 1 year.

PG IQ - Shead - Jakobe
SG Barrett - Jakobe - Dick
SF Ingram - Dick - Battle
PF Barnes - Mogbo- Fleming
C Poeltl - Fleming - Condon

905 - Bryant, Chomche

Could just draft #7 Maluach and #39 Tyrese Proctor.

[niQ]

1. Cooper
2. Harper
3/4. VJ or Ace.

Feels like anything goes after 4. Kasp, Tre, Fears, Queen, Maluach.

[MEDIC]

https://youtube.com/shorts/DtnHQ-kiA78?si=d17VbIgBD3VOWQ36

I see shades.of Ray Allen in his shooting.

Where? RA had a unique shot because it wasn't one motion. He would jump and use a lot of arms for his shot and barely any knees.
Dont see that here.

It's the way he gathers to his shooting pocket, the upward motion & the high set point in his shot.

https://youtu.be/ZZ1cR0tcWuc?si=KVoM2FohV-bgBduR

[WuTang_OG]

https://youtube.com/shorts/DtnHQ-kiA78?si=d17VbIgBD3VOWQ36

I see shades.of Ray Allen in his shooting.

Where? RA had a unique shot because it wasn't one motion. He would jump and use a lot of arms for his shot and barely any knees.
Dont see that here.

It's the way he gathers to his shooting pocket, the upward motion & the high set point in his shot.

https://youtu.be/ZZ1cR0tcWuc?si=KVoM2FohV-bgBduR

Totally different shooting forms both in gather and release. I don't see it.

[WuTang_OG]

1. Cooper
2. Harper
3/4. VJ or Ace.

Feels like anything goes after 4. Kasp, Tre, Fears, Queen, Maluach.

After 3-4, it seems like a totally mixed bag for the rest of the lottery

[MEDIC]

Read on Twitter

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This looks like a very accurate mock to me. I am kind of hoping Fears is there for us, but I think he should go before 7.

[MEDIC]

Where? RA had a unique shot because it wasn't one motion. He would jump and use a lot of arms for his shot and barely any knees.
Dont see that here.

It's the way he gathers to his shooting pocket, the upward motion & the high set point in his shot.

https://youtu.be/ZZ1cR0tcWuc?si=KVoM2FohV-bgBduR

Totally different shooting forms both in gather and release. I don't see it.

I am not sure how you see them as "totally different". Steph and Ray Allen are "totally different"

[WuTang_OG]

It's the way he gathers to his shooting pocket, the upward motion & the high set point in his shot.

https://youtu.be/ZZ1cR0tcWuc?si=KVoM2FohV-bgBduR

Totally different shooting forms both in gather and release. I don't see it.

I am not sure how you see them as "totally different". Steph and Ray Allen are "totally different"

Because Ray Allen is totally unique. He's all arms with barely any legs. I don't see how you can watch Kon's form and release and think that they are similar in any way.

[DreamTeam09]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

This looks like a very accurate mock to me. I am kind of hoping Fears is there for us, but I think he should go before 7.

This does look accurate