2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[WuTang_OG]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

[mtcan]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

[PhilBlackson]

He can shoot the 3s

26.5% from 3?! Lol not really.

Wasn’t OG also garbage from 3 early on? Who knows haha. The defence is tasty enough for Masai to bite and trade down. Who knowsss

Again not really lol

OG shot 36.5% for his college career. Nearly 45% in his freshman year obv on fewer attempts and even in his “down year” which was cut short by injury he shot 31%. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that number probably would’ve increased had he played his entire sophomore year. Especially since he came in as a rookie and shot 37% which has been his career average ever since.

CMB looks FAR more like Draymond offensively than OG or the beloved “Kawhi” prototype everyone wants. Although I’ll give CMB his due that he has a more varied attack going to and around the basket than DG. If I had to guess CMB’s 3pt career shooting numbers, I’m guessing it will be low 30s. He’s a nice enough prospect but he doesn’t project as a floor spacer which is why he’s isn’t top of my board since he’ll just further clog up the mid to post area with Scottie & Yak. I’d love him as a replacement for Mogbo (he’s like a rich man’s version lol) as a backup PF but I would not use our FRP on him and I doubt we’re taking him considering the FO seems to be trying to retain the 7th pick. And had he been the target, I think there would be very little worries about him being available as he’s not even top 10 on most boards.

[PhilBlackson]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

Also I think people hear “he only started playing 5 years ago” but really aren’t comprehending not only the time difference but LEVEL of training he would have received up until this point…the fact he’s able to even be as effective as he is great.

Think about the MASSIVE difference in levels of training most top prospects have received up until this point vs Maluach…

Most of the top recruits picked up a basketball when they just about learned to walk and since then they’ve received FAR more intensive training. Highschools (especially the top ones) are spending countless hours in the gym, working with these guys, they go to tons of Nike, AAU, Chris Paul etc training camps to further hone their games. Their skill development and comprehension of various schemes etc is waaaay ahead. The fact Maluach has already closed much of that gap is very impressive.

Khaman on the other hand was likely noticed due to his size/growth spurt as a teen that someone told him to play basketball instead of soccer and what do people think his training looked like?! Lol My guess is bare bones basics and far from individualized training until he reached BAL. Most of these guys are playing on outdoor dirt courts, barely have the right shoes to even play the sport and certainly don’t have staff giving them extended personal attention (pause).

Heck to me he’s really only truly had a couple of years of real development and even then I think maybe they pushed him at BAL to do more. But again what level of trainers do you think were out in Africa?! My guess is it wasn’t the cream of the crop. Then at Duke, you think their NEW head coach is more concerned with creating a scheme to win and have a great first impression or “try things out” with Khaman?! Lol Ofc not which is why he’s mainly be limited to a very specific role and even in that role he has grown over the season. No he's Victor defensively lol but he has gotten better, his defence has actually stood out a little bit since the tourney started. He is getting better and again the fact he’s already looking solid despite having to massively play catch up is impressive.

But there’s also some of the untapped stuff we seen in BAL and even the Olympics where he showed more signs as a decent shooter both from mid range to 3pt line. Heck the stuff he was doing in the warmup lines look pretty tantalizingly. I think in time and with further, much more intensive training he will show a lot more offensively than the major lob threat he is, you can already see he also has very soft touch around the basket. It’s gonna be very important that he lands on a franchise that is invested in his development and if there were any team in the league that I think would be, it’s here which is what makes him a very tempting prospect to begin with because willing to bet he’ll be MUCH better than he is now if we get ahold of him.

[Johnston]

In no way is he a better athlete than Allen(Maluach barely gets off the floor), and in no way shape or form is he close to the shooter Lopez is. Heres my problem with people who talk about Maluach, they talk about shooting, and rim protection... Maluach is a 7-3 monster who isn't a good rim protector at the college level, and he has an imaginary jumpshot... that's crazy to me

Heres the top 10 leaders in blocks and their block percentages at the college level. Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8. Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

I've watched him atleast 8 times this year, and I've come away unimpressed. He has poor blocking mechanics (he swipes down), he's going to be a foul machine at the next level. He barely gets off the floor when he jumps. He's good at recovering at the college level, but he's going to get absolutely eaten alive at the NBA level... the amount of times he gets burned, or he's out of place is alarmingly for a defensive big. He lacks the general feel and IQ to be a rim protector at the NBA level IMO.

I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

I'll disagree with you on that,
I talk about Khaman because of his lob threat and switchablity on defense / He can survive on an island better than Allen on defense,
No he's not the shooter Brook Lopez became to after like his first 8yrs in the league already

Jarrett Allen has a 32" standing vertical, and 36" max vertical. This is the same dude who blocked Lebron, and is routinely among the league leaders in dunks. Allen is genuinely one of the best centers when it comes to footwork, switchability, getting off the floor quickly for blocks/dunks. I don't think it's even close athletically between the two.

Khaman struggles to jump off two feet which is evident by his block numbers, and go back and watch some tape on Maluach bro, 80% of his lobs if he's not directly open under the basket he has a big wind up and gather to barely get up and catch the lob. If Maluach was this monster big man with all this athleticism you would think he would average more than 2.2 BPG PER36 at the college level. His fans have propped him up to be this unicorn, but hes a 7-3 bigman with an imaginary jumpshot, limited athleticism, and poor shot blocking mechanics.

Watch on YouTube

Also Lopez's shooting + defense improvement is a complete outliers are will likely never happen again in NBA history.

Brook is such a different player than he was first drafted. All offense and might be the only 7fter who was a worse rebounder than Bargs.

[PhilBlackson]

I'll disagree with you on that,
I talk about Khaman because of his lob threat and switchablity on defense / He can survive on an island better than Allen on defense,
No he's not the shooter Brook Lopez became to after like his first 8yrs in the league already

Jarrett Allen has a 32" standing vertical, and 36" max vertical. This is the same dude who blocked Lebron, and is routinely among the league leaders in dunks. Allen is genuinely one of the best centers when it comes to footwork, switchability, getting off the floor quickly for blocks/dunks. I don't think it's even close athletically between the two.

Khaman struggles to jump off two feet which is evident by his block numbers, and go back and watch some tape on Maluach bro, 80% of his lobs if he's not directly open under the basket he has a big wind up and gather to barely get up and catch the lob. If Maluach was this monster big man with all this athleticism you would think he would average more than 2.2 BPG PER36 at the college level. His fans have propped him up to be this unicorn, but hes a 7-3 bigman with an imaginary jumpshot, limited athleticism, and poor shot blocking mechanics.

Watch on YouTube

Also Lopez's shooting + defense improvement is a complete outliers are will likely never happen again in NBA history.

Brook is such a different player than he was first drafted. All offense and might be the only 7fter who was a worse rebounder than Bargs.

I just find it a bit funny to criticize Maluach as a shot blocker in college at 2.2 bpg per 36 minutes then reference/credit Jarrett Allen who actually averaged LESS lol at 1.9bpg per 40 minutes in college …just saying.

[mtcan]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

Also I think people hear “he only started playing 5 years ago” but really aren’t comprehending not only the time difference but LEVEL of training he would have received up until this point…the fact he’s able to even be as effective as he is great.

Think about the MASSIVE difference in levels of training most top prospects have received up until this point vs Maluach…

Most of the top recruits picked up a basketball when they just about learned to walk and since then they’ve received FAR more intensive training. Highschools (especially the top ones) are spending countless hours in the gym, working with these guys, they go to tons of Nike, AAU, Chris Paul etc training camps to further hone their games. Their skill development and comprehension of various schemes etc is waaaay ahead. The fact Maluach has already closed much of that gap is very impressive.

Khaman on the other hand was likely noticed due to his size/growth spurt as a teen that someone told him to play basketball instead of soccer and what do people think his training looked like?! Lol My guess is bare bones basics and far from individualized training until he reached BAL. Most of these guys are playing on outdoor dirt courts, barely have the right shoes to even play the sport and certainly don’t have staff giving them extended personal attention (pause).

Heck to me he’s really only truly had a couple of years of real development and even then I think maybe they pushed him at BAL to do more. But again what level of trainers do you think were out in Africa?! My guess is it wasn’t the cream of the crop. Then at Duke, you think their NEW head coach is more concerned with creating a scheme to win and have a great first impression or “try things out” with Khaman?! Lol Ofc not which is why he’s mainly be limited to a very specific role and even in that role he has grown over the season. No he's Victor defensively lol but he has gotten better, his defence has actually stood out a little bit since the tourney started. He is getting better and again the fact he’s already looking solid despite having to massively play catch up is impressive.

But there’s also some of the untapped stuff we seen in BAL and even the Olympics where he showed more signs as a decent shooter both from mid range to 3pt line. Heck the stuff he was doing in the warmup lines look pretty tantalizingly. I think in time and with further, much more intensive training he will show a lot more offensively than the major lob threat he is, you can already see he also has very soft touch around the basket. It’s gonna be very important that he lands on a franchise that is invested in his development and if there were any team in the league that I think would be, it’s here which is what makes him a very tempting prospect to begin with because willing to bet he’ll be MUCH better than he is now if we get ahold of him.

Ya...watching him shoot 3s against Team USA and drilling a mid range jumper in Embiid's face during the Olympics was encouraging.

Given his age and how fluidly he moves...you really want to see him develop those other skills in that Chet and Wemby mold that make them unicorns.

[TeamDisgruntled]

Makhach alters a lot of shots and forces misses, even if the block numbers look pedestrian. It sounds like an excuse but when you watch, it plays out. You would think he would rebound a bit better considering his size, but he does seem to be in the right places on the floor. It’s a home run swing, you can’t fault Masai if he takes the swing but there’s obviously bust potential with a guy that raw.

[WuTang_OG]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

The mystery box is scary for such a high pick. I think that's where we can get into trouble. I can understand taking this type of player late lottery and beyond since you are now leaning on potential but it's difficult for me to see how Masai would take him top 10 since they have always been a conservative front office, outside of bruno - but even then it was at 20.

It's likely that Masai knows KM as a player better than anyone. If he does end up taking him, I will trust judgement but I can't see it happening today. Him only playing 5 years is definitely a pro for him, it will be interesting how teams measure that.

[Psubs]

Jarrett Allen has a 32" standing vertical, and 36" max vertical. This is the same dude who blocked Lebron, and is routinely among the league leaders in dunks. Allen is genuinely one of the best centers when it comes to footwork, switchability, getting off the floor quickly for blocks/dunks. I don't think it's even close athletically between the two.

Khaman struggles to jump off two feet which is evident by his block numbers, and go back and watch some tape on Maluach bro, 80% of his lobs if he's not directly open under the basket he has a big wind up and gather to barely get up and catch the lob. If Maluach was this monster big man with all this athleticism you would think he would average more than 2.2 BPG PER36 at the college level. His fans have propped him up to be this unicorn, but hes a 7-3 bigman with an imaginary jumpshot, limited athleticism, and poor shot blocking mechanics.

Watch on YouTube

Also Lopez's shooting + defense improvement is a complete outliers are will likely never happen again in NBA history.

Brook is such a different player than he was first drafted. All offense and might be the only 7fter who was a worse rebounder than Bargs.

I just find it a bit funny to criticize Maluach as a shot blocker in college at 2.2 bpg per 36 minutes then reference/credit Jarrett Allen who actually averaged LESS lol at 1.9bpg per 40 minutes in college …just saying.

I guess Allen went for rebounds. Maluach is in between.

Will Chomche be close to as good as Maluach?

[Psubs]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

The mystery box is scary for such a high pick. I think that's where we can get into trouble. I can understand taking this type of player late lottery and beyond since you are now leaning on potential but it's difficult for me to see how Masai would take him top 10 since they have always been a conservative front office, outside of bruno - but even then it was at 20.

It's likely that Masai knows KM as a player better than anyone. If he does end up taking him, I will trust judgement but I can't see it happening today. Him only playing 5 years is definitely a pro for him, it will be interesting how teams measure that.

Alex Condon has only played for 5 years too. His A/T is elite for a big. Condon's offense is quite raw and not aggressive, but I guess he defers to all the others. Thomas Haugh is interesting SF/PF too.

[God Squad]

I had fun reviewing options for our first rounder. The best upside, positional fit and culture fit is Khaman Maluach.

Watch on YouTube

7'2
7’5” wingspan and a 9’8” standing reach
Switch on defense
Deters rim attempts
80 dunks
77% at the rim

The rare combo of size and mobility are important, but he is also a really strong defensive communicator directing Dukes backline.

Offensively he will be a rim runner, but dig back he can shoot it. Its warmups but he looks smooth showing shooting upside.

Read on Twitter

I think Masai has already given him a "secret guarantee"(with the exception of us moving into the top 2).
If we get 3 or lower, We ask him to sit out all workouts.

We still get to workout other players, in case someone ahead of us picks him.

The thing with Maluach is you're basically hoping he becomes Brook Lopez... but he hasn't demonstrated to be an elite shot blocker, shooter, or post presence at the college level. His block percentage is alarmingly low for a shot blocker. You won't find a single player in the top 10 BPG list who had a block percentage as poor as Maluach at the college level. The only 2 players I can think of who became competent rim protectors with such low block percentages are Jarrett Allen, and Brook Lopez and those 2 are 100% outliers rather than the norm when it comes to development.

Maluach has a block percentage of 6.9%... here's the top 10 block leaders in the NBA and their block percentage at the college level in their freshmen year

1. Kessler - 10.7%
2. Lopez - 4.9%
3. Davis - 13.7%
4. Holmgren - 12.6%
5. Gafford - 11.5%
6. Claxton - 9.4%
7. Turner - 12.3%
8.Embiid - 11.7%
9. Poeltl - 8.6%
10. Mobley - 8.8%

You take away his rim protection and shot blocking and he honestly doesn't seem very appealing. I'm honestly asking... when was the last time a player with such poor blocking numbers, block percentage, and such high foul rate became a competent rim protector, because I can't think of a single player.

Earlier in the season, I was hesitant to draft him because he didn't block shots or accumulate steals. But he's progressed throughout the season, and I can see the " He recently started playing basketball" bit.

[Psubs]

Kel'el Ware had a block % of 6.5 his sophomore season.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kelel-ware-1.html

Blk/Foul Ware is much better. Maluach needs more time to develop. I think Maluach in the teens is appropriate but a team likely reaches for him 5-10. I guess like Zach Edey.

[Clutch0z24]

Gotta go with Fears if hes still available at 7/8.....Highest upside and most skilled player around that spot....If hes taken i think Queen/Tre/Maluach....I think one of the 4 will be a Raptor come draft night.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Ware looked like a future hall of famer in like 30% of the games he played last year and most people on this board recognized it. Definitely can't vouch for Khaman in that regard. Ware had multiple stretches where he was just on fire.

[OakleyDokely]

Baylor vs Baylor, Freshman Year:

JaKo Walter: 32.3 MIN, 14.5 PPG, 4.4 REB, 1.4 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.2 BLK, .376 FG, .341 3PT, .792 FT, .541 TS, 23.4 USG, 5.8 BPM
Edgecombe: 32.7 MIN, 15.0 PPG, 5.6 REB, 3.2 AST, 2.1 STL, 0.6 BLK, .436 FG, .340 3PT, .782 FT, .552 TS, 24.1 USG, 11.4 BPM

[OakleyDokely]

During the draft process, a lot of people were knocking Scottie's rebound and block totals, which were low when you just look at his overall numbers. As we've come to see with his NBA performance, most of that was due to how he was used at FSU. He was asked to defend a lot on the perimeter, which reduced his opportunities. I think we will see the same pattern with KM, whose been asked to defend away from the basket a lot more than your typical drop big.

[Indeed]

Said it before by KM’s labeled as a defensive prospect but his block and rebounding % rates are mediocre at best. I don’t see why you would take him top 10.

I think the mystery box effect applies. He started basketball late but already has a decent feel for the game and extremely impressive measurements which makes his defensive floor already very high. Question is...how much better can he get with more experience.

That "how much better..." question is very tantalizing, I'm sure.

The thing here...is how he is developed going forward. He's being used primarily as a rim runner on offence and obviously he can grab a rebound and block a shot. Can he add to that base skill set? Can he dribble? Can he shoot?

The mystery box is scary for such a high pick. I think that's where we can get into trouble. I can understand taking this type of player late lottery and beyond since you are now leaning on potential but it's difficult for me to see how Masai would take him top 10 since they have always been a conservative front office, outside of bruno - but even then it was at 20.

It's likely that Masai knows KM as a player better than anyone. If he does end up taking him, I will trust judgement but I can't see it happening today. Him only playing 5 years is definitely a pro for him, it will be interesting how teams measure that.

Siakam vs Bruno scenario, but most likely fall in between, instead of the extreme outcome.

My concern is that we dont have an elite guard to make use of him. Our offense relies our bigs to be the passing hub, Maluach just isnt one based on his assist ratio,

[PhilBlackson]

Brook is such a different player than he was first drafted. All offense and might be the only 7fter who was a worse rebounder than Bargs.

I just find it a bit funny to criticize Maluach as a shot blocker in college at 2.2 bpg per 36 minutes then reference/credit Jarrett Allen who actually averaged LESS lol at 1.9bpg per 40 minutes in college …just saying.

I guess Allen went for rebounds. Maluach is in between.

Will Chomche be close to as good as Maluach?

I’ve seen you draw the comparison a few times lol and no I don’t see the same level of upside with Chomche. There’s a reason one guy is a consensus top 10 in a good draft vs the other barely even being drafted at all in a bad one.

Ulrich’s skills are far more rudimentary in nearly every facet of the game other than maybe shot blocking.

I’m guessing the comparison is being made because they’re both considered “raw” and have semblance of a jumper but that’s a far too simplified way of looking at it. If you think they’re the same I’d suggest you’re not looking close enough.

For starters KM’s jumper is much better. Both mechanically and shot difficulty. Chomche can hit a wide open Ben Simmons-esque level of space 3 here or there but he NEEDS that in order to get his shot off. His jumper is very low and he shoots the ball from in front of his face. He’ll need to completely re-work his mechanics if he’s going to be any real threat from there.

Khaman is mechanically much more sound and has a high release that he’s shown in the past he can hit contested ie/ the jab step pull up he hit on Embiid, the corner 3 he hit over a run out by AD and even some fadeaways he made in BAL. Ulrich has shown none of that. Not to mention hasn’t shown any touch around the rim where Khaman has very soft touch to work with. Not to mention Chomche’s understanding of the game is so far behind he’s not even a lob threat yet despite being very fast and explosive.

Chomche’s upside is mostly as a defensive prospect since he has exceptionally quick feet for a player his size. Where he can become great is his upside to truly be able to switch 1-5 iiiiif he can learn how to navigate screens and understand offensive sets. Maluach still moves pretty well but not at Ulrich’s speed. Despite their small generalized “commonalities”, they’re actually different types of prospects.

[WuTang_OG]

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