2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[CROBulls]

Please do NOT draft Duke prospects. Malauch got zero absolute zero rebounds at 7'2 against Houston 6'8 bigs and Kon Knueppel is not basketball player at highest level beyond being role player for 15 minutes.

[Ice Man]

Let's not draft someone based on 1 bad game. Sounds like a good strategy. Last 15 games: 9.9 ppg on 70/33/75 with 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Tournament games: 11.6 ppg on 82/67/88 with 7.6 rebounds & 2.3 blocks.

I've watched a lot of Duke this year. My comment stands. He's a rotten rebounder. He gets quite a few because he's 7' 2" and the ball falls into his hands. And he gets offensive rebounds because his Duke teammates are good. They get to the hole and draw the help defense, so that Maluach is uncontested on the miss.

But he gets smoked the moment that anything is contested. Boxed out, pushed around, outworked. He's a tall Tony Snell. Also gets bullied defensively. No, thanks.

[2weekswithpay]

Duke's defense is elite even when Maluach isn't on the court, and they're better at defensive rebounding with him on the bench. 95.7 DRTG with Maluach on vs 94.6 DRTG with him off. Opponets had a 28.5 ORB% with him on vs 26.3 ORB% with him off.

If you only include good teams you get a 102.6 DRTG with him on vs 98.1 with him off. Opponents had a 32.4 ORB% with him on vs 27.9 ORB% with him off.

Others have pointed out that he isn't that explosive vertically, which may be the reason why his block numbers are a bit low. I don't think he has good core/lower body strength either. He gets pushed around by guys smaller than him. Against Baylor, Omier, who's 6'7/6'8, went at him multiple times and was all that deterred.

Spoiler:

It depends on who you talk to, but Sam Vecenie doesn't think Maluach has great hands, and he's not the only one I've seen say this. If he can't catch the ball in traffic, that affects his rebounding and rim running.

Spoiler:

[Ice Man]

For me, the fans have it wrong about Maluach vs. Knueppel. They think that Maluach is the guy with a big NBA upside, while Knueppel is a classic caseof the the athletically limited college player who isn't well suited for the NBA. But I see the opposite. Maluach is an unskilled, low-motor player who excels against weak competition, but who is neutralized by strong, high-motor athletes. Meanwhile, Knueppel has the skill & insights to succeed (at least offensively) as the level of competition increases. No, I don't think Kon will be more than a good NBA role player. But that puts him ahead of Maluach's likely outcome.

[Jcool0]

Duke's defense is elite even when Maluach isn't on the court, and they're better at defensive rebounding with him on the bench. 95.7 DRTG with Maluach on vs 94.6 DRTG with him off. Opponets had a 28.5 ORB% with him on vs 26.3 ORB% with him off.

If you only include good teams you get a 102.6 DRTG with him on vs 98.1 with him off. Opponents had a 32.4 ORB% with him on vs 27.9 ORB% with him off.

Others have pointed out that he isn't that explosive vertically, which may be the reason why his block numbers are a bit low. I don't think he has good core/lower body strength either. He gets pushed around by guys smaller than him. Against Baylor, Omier, who's 6'7/6'8, went at him multiple times and was all that deterred.

Spoiler:

It depends on who you talk to, but Sam Vecenie doesn't think Maluach has great hands, and he's not the only one I've seen say this. If he can't catch the ball in traffic, that affects his rebounding and rim running.

Spoiler:

Duke players with 500+ Minutes:

Cooper Flagg: 89 DRtg

Khaman Maluach: 94.3 DRtg

Sion James: 96.8 DTrg

Mason Gillis: 97.4 DRtg

Caleb Foster: 97.6 DRtg

Kon Knueppel: 98.8 DRtg

Tyrese Proctor: 100.6 DRtg

Isaiah Evans: 102. 6 DRtg

[DASMACKDOWN]

For me, the fans have it wrong about Maluach vs. Knueppel. They think that Maluach is the guy with a big NBA upside, while Knueppel is a classic caseof the the athletically limited college player who isn't well suited for the NBA. But I see the opposite. Maluach is an unskilled, low-motor player who excels against weak competition, but who is neutralized by strong, high-motor athletes. Meanwhile, Knueppel has the skill & insights to succeed (at least offensively) as the level of competition increases. No, I don't think Kon will be more than a good NBA role player. But that puts him ahead of Maluach's likely outcome.

The 2 biggest things that has always carried Maluach for scouts, is his size/length and his age.

That proceeds him FAR more than any play on the court.

Its the whole - he only started playing basketball 5 years ago. That is the biggest thing he has going for him. Which basically means he would be like a 3 year project. But even then, people are more hoping that something is there rather than seeing something there.

Cause like you said, zero offensive game, not a good rebounder or shotblocker. He is just big. Which will always work in college.

He could prove me wrong. But I will say this, if we did draft him, he would have 3 years in Windy City Bulls because Billy Donovan wont ever play him.

[Jcool0]

For me, the fans have it wrong about Maluach vs. Knueppel. They think that Maluach is the guy with a big NBA upside, while Knueppel is a classic caseof the the athletically limited college player who isn't well suited for the NBA. But I see the opposite. Maluach is an unskilled, low-motor player who excels against weak competition, but who is neutralized by strong, high-motor athletes. Meanwhile, Knueppel has the skill & insights to succeed (at least offensively) as the level of competition increases. No, I don't think Kon will be more than a good NBA role player. But that puts him ahead of Maluach's likely outcome.

The 2 biggest things that has always carried Maluach for scouts, is his size/length and his age.

That proceeds him FAR more than any play on the court.

Its the whole - he only started playing basketball 5 years ago. That is the biggest thing he has going for him. Which basically means he would be like a 3 year project. But even then, people are more hoping that something is there rather than seeing something there.

Cause like you said, zero offensive game, not a good rebounder or shotblocker. He is just big. Which will always work in college.

He could prove me wrong. But I will say this, if we did draft him, he would have 3 years in Windy City Bulls because Billy Donovan wont ever play him.

I just posted in tournament play he averaged 7.6 rebounds & 2.3 blocks. Would you like a 7'2" center to average more then 7.6 rebounds, of course. But both those numbers are perfectly fine. He will be entering his prime years when Coby White will be past his. Everyone knows he is a long term play. Also its not like he was the only Duke player not to have a good game. Knueppel first half was good but didn't really score in the 2nd half (4 points). Only Flagg and Kon scored over 10 points for Duke. Tyrese Proctor averages 12.4/3/2.2 on 45/40/68 the year, in 37 minutes last night he had 7 points on 2-8 shooting (0-4 from 3) with 1 rebounds and 2 assists.

[2weekswithpay]

Duke's defense is elite even when Maluach isn't on the court, and they're better at defensive rebounding with him on the bench. 95.7 DRTG with Maluach on vs 94.6 DRTG with him off. Opponets had a 28.5 ORB% with him on vs 26.3 ORB% with him off.

If you only include good teams you get a 102.6 DRTG with him on vs 98.1 with him off. Opponents had a 32.4 ORB% with him on vs 27.9 ORB% with him off.

Others have pointed out that he isn't that explosive vertically, which may be the reason why his block numbers are a bit low. I don't think he has good core/lower body strength either. He gets pushed around by guys smaller than him. Against Baylor, Omier, who's 6'7/6'8, went at him multiple times and was all that deterred.

Spoiler:

It depends on who you talk to, but Sam Vecenie doesn't think Maluach has great hands, and he's not the only one I've seen say this. If he can't catch the ball in traffic, that affects his rebounding and rim running.

Spoiler:

Duke players with 500+ Minutes:

Cooper Flagg: 89 DRtg

Khaman Maluach: 94.3 DRtg

Sion James: 96.8 DTrg

Mason Gillis: 97.4 DRtg

Caleb Foster: 97.6 DRtg

Kon Knueppel: 98.8 DRtg

Tyrese Proctor: 100.6 DRtg

Isaiah Evans: 102. 6 DRtg

Maliq Brown: 89.3 DRTG

Patrick Ngongba: 92.4 DRTG

[Jcool0]

Duke's defense is elite even when Maluach isn't on the court, and they're better at defensive rebounding with him on the bench. 95.7 DRTG with Maluach on vs 94.6 DRTG with him off. Opponets had a 28.5 ORB% with him on vs 26.3 ORB% with him off.

If you only include good teams you get a 102.6 DRTG with him on vs 98.1 with him off. Opponents had a 32.4 ORB% with him on vs 27.9 ORB% with him off.

Others have pointed out that he isn't that explosive vertically, which may be the reason why his block numbers are a bit low. I don't think he has good core/lower body strength either. He gets pushed around by guys smaller than him. Against Baylor, Omier, who's 6'7/6'8, went at him multiple times and was all that deterred.

Spoiler:

It depends on who you talk to, but Sam Vecenie doesn't think Maluach has great hands, and he's not the only one I've seen say this. If he can't catch the ball in traffic, that affects his rebounding and rim running.

Spoiler:

Duke players with 500+ Minutes:

Cooper Flagg: 89 DRtg

Khaman Maluach: 94.3 DRtg

Sion James: 96.8 DTrg

Mason Gillis: 97.4 DRtg

Caleb Foster: 97.6 DRtg

Kon Knueppel: 98.8 DRtg

Tyrese Proctor: 100.6 DRtg

Isaiah Evans: 102. 6 DRtg

Maliq Brown: 89.3 DRTG

Patrick Ngongba: 92.4 DRTG

I said players with 500+ minutes. Lets not be disingenuous with the posting.

Brown plays 15 MPG averages 2.5 ppg and 3.7 rebounds. His 15 minutes last night was his first significant playing time in the entire tournament and that it with Duke blowing teams out. Ngongba played 4 minutes last night & just 10.5 mpg on the year.

[WesPeace]

He looks 6'10 220. Even by modern NBA standards, this is undersized. Yeah, small ball 5s. Guys aren't usually centers at 6'8/6'9.

6'10 is NOT undersized for center dude.. thats 208-209cm! Undersized line ends somehow at 6'8 in modern NBA.. even 6'9 is borderline ok

6'9, 220 lbs. He doesn't appear to have freakishly long arms, and he doesn't possess outlier athleticism. It's not all about height. Matas is 6'9/6'10 and you don't see people calling him a center.

Shorter than most 5s at 6'9. Physically smaller than most 5s at 220lbs. A reported 7'0 wingspan would put him at the bottom compared to other 5s.

As always,different sites, different data.. I saw 6'10 and even 6'11 for Asa.
Like here :
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/asa-newell-1.html

We shall see in draft measurements how tall are these guys..

[Chi town]

I’d take Joan Beringer over Malauch all day. Kid is an electric athlete with length. Souped up Jarret Allen.

[League Circles]

I'm really quite down on the prospects likely to be available when we pick. There a couple guys I like that might be available but aren't great fits for us at all like Noa Essengue and Collin Murray-Boyles, but if we don't get super lucky and get into the top 4, I would heavily look to trade the pick, ideally for another prospect currently on his rookie deal that fits us better, or possibly in a package deal for a long term starter at the 2 or 5. I just think the talent in the range we're likely to pick are mostly particularly bad fits for us and won't help us continue to develop as a result, let alone be some kind of star franchise player. If I squint suuuper hard I can see that potential with Collin Murray-Boyles. But all these pedestrian defenders on the wing and the small quick PGs are simply guys we have no need for and would be subtraction by addition IMO. Maluach and Newell are huge question marks, though I'd definitely roll the dice on Maluach if he's available when we pick, which he probably won't be.

[Jcool0]

I’d take Joan Beringer over Malauch all day. Kid is an electric athlete with length. Souped up Jarret Allen.

You can get him in the 2nd round.

[Jcool0]

I'm really quite down on the prospects likely to be available when we pick. There a couple guys I like that might be available but aren't great fits for us at all like Noa Essengue and Collin Murray-Boyles, but if we don't get super lucky and get into the top 4, I would heavily look to trade the pick, ideally for another prospect currently on his rookie deal that fits us better, or possibly in a package deal for a long term starter at the 2 or 5. I just think the talent in the range we're likely to pick are mostly particularly bad fits for us and won't help us continue to develop as a result, let alone be some kind of star franchise player. If I squint suuuper hard I can see that potential with Collin Murray-Boyles. But all these pedestrian defenders on the wing and the small quick PGs are simply guys we have no need for and would be subtraction by addition IMO. Maluach and Newell are huge question marks, though I'd definitely roll the dice on Maluach if he's available when we pick, which he probably won't be.

FWIW:

The Chicago Bulls, sitting as the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 34-42, are eyeing the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft amid their preparations for the Play-In Tournament. Analyst Kevin O'Connor suggests the Bulls should target forward Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, emphasizing the need to replace Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins as their contracts expire in 2026. Murray-Boyles, known for his impressive defensive skills and improved scoring efficiency, averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, showcasing his potential as a playmaker. However, uncertainty remains as he has been offered $2.5 million by another SEC school to stay in college.

By the Numbers

34-42: Current record of the Chicago Bulls, ranking them 10th in the Eastern Conference.
16.8: Points per game averaged by Collin Murray-Boyles this season at South Carolina.
58.6%: Field goal percentage of Murray-Boyles, leading the SEC.

Yes, But

While Murray-Boyles is touted for his defensive prowess and scoring ability, concerns about his shooting may complicate the offensive fit with current Bulls players like Josh Giddey.

State of Play

Bulls are preparing for the Play-In Tournament, indicating a potential postseason presence.
Murray-Boyles is currently in the draft process but has received strong financial incentives to remain in college.

What's Next

If the Bulls secure a top-10 pick, they could focus on bringing in Murray-Boyles, which may offer the team the offensive finishing they need as they move away from their existing frontcourt players.

Bottom Line

To reshape their future, the Chicago Bulls must look beyond their current roster and consider players like Murray-Boyles, who could bring both defensive strength and offensive potential to their team.

https://bvmsports.com/2025/04/03/bulls-eye-collin-murray-boyles-in-2025-nba-draft-as-playoff-push-continues/

[2weekswithpay]

Duke players with 500+ Minutes:

Cooper Flagg: 89 DRtg

Khaman Maluach: 94.3 DRtg

Sion James: 96.8 DTrg

Mason Gillis: 97.4 DRtg

Caleb Foster: 97.6 DRtg

Kon Knueppel: 98.8 DRtg

Tyrese Proctor: 100.6 DRtg

Isaiah Evans: 102. 6 DRtg

Maliq Brown: 89.3 DRTG

Patrick Ngongba: 92.4 DRTG

I said players with 500+ minutes. Lets not be disingenuous with the posting.

Brown plays 15 MPG averages 2.5 ppg and 3.7 rebounds. His 15 minutes last night was his first significant playing time in the entire tournament and that it with Duke blowing teams out. Ngongba played 4 minutes last night & just 10.5 mpg on the year.

Brown was the backup big for most of the season and would've reached the minutes qualifier if he hadn't gotten hurt.

I'm not being disingenuous at all. I stated that Duke's defense suffered almost no dropoff per 100 possessions when Maluach wasn't on the court. This is why Brown and Ngongba are relevant here. At 7'2, Maluach wasn't a noticable upgrade defensively over his backups Brown and Ngongba over the entire season. In my original post, I had garbage time filtered out already, so blowouts aren't included.

[2weekswithpay]

6'10 is NOT undersized for center dude.. thats 208-209cm! Undersized line ends somehow at 6'8 in modern NBA.. even 6'9 is borderline ok

6'9, 220 lbs. He doesn't appear to have freakishly long arms, and he doesn't possess outlier athleticism. It's not all about height. Matas is 6'9/6'10 and you don't see people calling him a center.

Shorter than most 5s at 6'9. Physically smaller than most 5s at 220lbs. A reported 7'0 wingspan would put him at the bottom compared to other 5s.

As always,different sites, different data.. I saw 6'10 and even 6'11 for Asa.

Georgia athletics is the only team that has him listed at 6'11, and college teams lie about heights all the time. He's likely 6'9/6'10 but this inch difference in height doesn't change much. Newell is still physically smaller than most 5s and has shorter arms than most of them, as well.

[League Circles]

I'm really quite down on the prospects likely to be available when we pick. There a couple guys I like that might be available but aren't great fits for us at all like Noa Essengue and Collin Murray-Boyles, but if we don't get super lucky and get into the top 4, I would heavily look to trade the pick, ideally for another prospect currently on his rookie deal that fits us better, or possibly in a package deal for a long term starter at the 2 or 5. I just think the talent in the range we're likely to pick are mostly particularly bad fits for us and won't help us continue to develop as a result, let alone be some kind of star franchise player. If I squint suuuper hard I can see that potential with Collin Murray-Boyles. But all these pedestrian defenders on the wing and the small quick PGs are simply guys we have no need for and would be subtraction by addition IMO. Maluach and Newell are huge question marks, though I'd definitely roll the dice on Maluach if he's available when we pick, which he probably won't be.

FWIW:

The Chicago Bulls, sitting as the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 34-42, are eyeing the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft amid their preparations for the Play-In Tournament. Analyst Kevin O'Connor suggests the Bulls should target forward Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, emphasizing the need to replace Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins as their contracts expire in 2026. Murray-Boyles, known for his impressive defensive skills and improved scoring efficiency, averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, showcasing his potential as a playmaker. However, uncertainty remains as he has been offered $2.5 million by another SEC school to stay in college.

By the Numbers

34-42: Current record of the Chicago Bulls, ranking them 10th in the Eastern Conference.
16.8: Points per game averaged by Collin Murray-Boyles this season at South Carolina.
58.6%: Field goal percentage of Murray-Boyles, leading the SEC.

Yes, But

While Murray-Boyles is touted for his defensive prowess and scoring ability, concerns about his shooting may complicate the offensive fit with current Bulls players like Josh Giddey.

State of Play

Bulls are preparing for the Play-In Tournament, indicating a potential postseason presence.
Murray-Boyles is currently in the draft process but has received strong financial incentives to remain in college.

What's Next

If the Bulls secure a top-10 pick, they could focus on bringing in Murray-Boyles, which may offer the team the offensive finishing they need as they move away from their existing frontcourt players.

Bottom Line

To reshape their future, the Chicago Bulls must look beyond their current roster and consider players like Murray-Boyles, who could bring both defensive strength and offensive potential to their team.

https://bvmsports.com/2025/04/03/bulls-eye-collin-murray-boyles-in-2025-nba-draft-as-playoff-push-continues/

Interesting. Good to know. IMO, he's a top 10 talent in the draft, and one of the only ones likely outside the top 3 or so that has star potential. He's got a lot of skills but the fit is a huge question mark to me with the potential Coby/Giddey/Matas trio. If you play him and those 3 and a C, you probably lack shooting and perimeter defensive quickness. If you play him and those 3 and a quick perimeter defender/shooter, then Matas or CMB is actually the center! Maaaaaybe that could work, but I have serious doubts. But at least he seems to have legit talent and is a strong competitor.

[Jcool0]

Maliq Brown: 89.3 DRTG

Patrick Ngongba: 92.4 DRTG

I said players with 500+ minutes. Lets not be disingenuous with the posting.

Brown plays 15 MPG averages 2.5 ppg and 3.7 rebounds. His 15 minutes last night was his first significant playing time in the entire tournament and that it with Duke blowing teams out. Ngongba played 4 minutes last night & just 10.5 mpg on the year.

Brown was the backup big for most of the season and would've reached the minutes qualifier if he hadn't gotten hurt.

I'm not being disingenuous at all. I stated that Duke's defense suffered almost no dropoff per 100 possessions when Maluach wasn't on the court. This is why Brown and Ngongba are relevant here. At 7'2, Maluach wasn't a noticable upgrade defensively over his backups Brown and Ngongba over the entire season. In my original post, I had garbage time filtered out already, so blowouts aren't included.

I wonder why the defense didn't suffer... Could it be the best NBA prospect in 10 years just happens to be his teammate. Cooper Flagg has by far the best defensive rating on the team while playing 30.7 MPG. Great players do great things... Shocking in know. You could put Collin Murray-Boyles in the center role and i bet get similar ratings. But if you are going to talk nonsense about fringe rotational players that dont factor into anything then we can just end it here.

[TheSuzerain]

Brown is great defensively

[Jcool0]

I'm really quite down on the prospects likely to be available when we pick. There a couple guys I like that might be available but aren't great fits for us at all like Noa Essengue and Collin Murray-Boyles, but if we don't get super lucky and get into the top 4, I would heavily look to trade the pick, ideally for another prospect currently on his rookie deal that fits us better, or possibly in a package deal for a long term starter at the 2 or 5. I just think the talent in the range we're likely to pick are mostly particularly bad fits for us and won't help us continue to develop as a result, let alone be some kind of star franchise player. If I squint suuuper hard I can see that potential with Collin Murray-Boyles. But all these pedestrian defenders on the wing and the small quick PGs are simply guys we have no need for and would be subtraction by addition IMO. Maluach and Newell are huge question marks, though I'd definitely roll the dice on Maluach if he's available when we pick, which he probably won't be.

FWIW:

The Chicago Bulls, sitting as the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 34-42, are eyeing the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft amid their preparations for the Play-In Tournament. Analyst Kevin O'Connor suggests the Bulls should target forward Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina, emphasizing the need to replace Nikola Vučević and Zach Collins as their contracts expire in 2026. Murray-Boyles, known for his impressive defensive skills and improved scoring efficiency, averaged 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, showcasing his potential as a playmaker. However, uncertainty remains as he has been offered $2.5 million by another SEC school to stay in college.

By the Numbers

34-42: Current record of the Chicago Bulls, ranking them 10th in the Eastern Conference.
16.8: Points per game averaged by Collin Murray-Boyles this season at South Carolina.
58.6%: Field goal percentage of Murray-Boyles, leading the SEC.

Yes, But

While Murray-Boyles is touted for his defensive prowess and scoring ability, concerns about his shooting may complicate the offensive fit with current Bulls players like Josh Giddey.

State of Play

Bulls are preparing for the Play-In Tournament, indicating a potential postseason presence.
Murray-Boyles is currently in the draft process but has received strong financial incentives to remain in college.

What's Next

If the Bulls secure a top-10 pick, they could focus on bringing in Murray-Boyles, which may offer the team the offensive finishing they need as they move away from their existing frontcourt players.

Bottom Line

To reshape their future, the Chicago Bulls must look beyond their current roster and consider players like Murray-Boyles, who could bring both defensive strength and offensive potential to their team.

https://bvmsports.com/2025/04/03/bulls-eye-collin-murray-boyles-in-2025-nba-draft-as-playoff-push-continues/

Interesting. Good to know. IMO, he's a top 10 talent in the draft, and one of the only ones likely outside the top 3 or so that has star potential. He's got a lot of skills but the fit is a huge question mark to me with the potential Coby/Giddey/Matas trio. If you play him and those 3 and a C, you probably lack shooting and perimeter defensive quickness. If you play him and those 3 and a quick perimeter defender/shooter, then Matas or CMB is actually the center! Maaaaaybe that could work, but I have serious doubts. But at least he seems to have legit talent and is a strong competitor.

Most likely where the Bulls are picking no one will all that excited about the options available. But there is a chance Murray-Boyles drops because teams might believe if he doesn't hit the Green upside he might not bring enough since he fits that tweener mold. Most likely he would fit that small ball play Billy likes at either 4/5.