2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[S ID]

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[PhilBlackson]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

[mademan]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

Maluach isnt an NBA player yet though. He doesnt solve anything next season...he's a legit project. Doesnt mean they wont draft him, but nobody is drafting him thinking he's gonna give us 15+ min and we're gonna be competitive.

[WuTang_CMB]

I'll say this about Maluach. If Masai does end up selecting him (I'll be shocked if he does), that means he thinks he will absolutely hit his potential so I will buy into it because Masai knows this kid better than any GM in the draft.

Normally Masai takes proven talent especially top 10, so you are taking a big risk with him IMO.

I would have no issue with taking him 15 + for the type of player he is ... the odds of him to not meet expectations of a top 10 pick are greater than his peers IMO

but I will trust it if Masai makes the call

[PhilBlackson]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

Maluach isnt an NBA player yet though. He doesnt solve anything next season...he's a legit project. Doesnt mean they wont draft him, but nobody is drafting him thinking he's gonna give us 15+ min and we're gonna be competitive.

That's your opinion & I don't agree with it.

He was able to start on the most heralded program in college basketball & did a good job doing so. He will continue to develop now over the summer & of course as he continues on he'll only get better especially if we draft him specifically. Actually wouldn't surprise me if he made a noticeable jump here even by the end of his rookie season as I think he'd get the most 1 on 1 training/high level development he's ever received. I don't buy for a second he couldn't give this team 15 solid minutes, the kid can start on Duke, he can find a way to give you support minutes lol especially when he has an obvious role that most athletic bigs can do (be a rim runner which he was ELITE at and protect the rim) and that's at bare minimum -- again I'd expect that he'd actually add a bit more before the season is over.

Again I'm favoring Queen BUT I think many of you are overly downplaying Maluach just because you don't personally like him for our pick.

[Raps in 4]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

Maluach has bust written all over him. Queen has a better feel for the game, but I don't think he's a super exciting prospect either. I really don't think we're picking either of them, unless Masai sees something we're missing.

I don't think him saying we need a bignan means we're drafting one with our top pick (unless it's Flagg). He wouldn't share that information publicly because it weakens our draft position.

[Buff]

If it is Maluach he must be able to be our backup 5. If he can play that and pair well with Mogbo I would call it a win for a 7-9th pick.

[mademan]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

Maluach isnt an NBA player yet though. He doesnt solve anything next season...he's a legit project. Doesnt mean they wont draft him, but nobody is drafting him thinking he's gonna give us 15+ min and we're gonna be competitive.

That's your opinion & I don't agree with it.

He was able to start on the most heralded program in college basketball & did a good job doing so. He will continue to develop now over the summer & of course as he continues on he'll only get better. Actually wouldn't surprise me if he made a noticeable jump even by the end of his rookie season as I think he'd get the most 1 on 1 training/high level development he's ever received. I don't buy for a second he couldn't give this team 15 solid minutes, the kid can start on Duke, he can find a way to give you support minutes lol especially when he has an obvious role that most athletic bigs can do (be a rim runner which he was ELITE at and protect the rim) and that's at bare minimum -- again I'd expect that he'd actually add a bit more before the season is over.

Again I'm favoring Queen BUT I think many of you are overly downplaying Maluach just because you don't personally like him for our pick.

He's playing with other 18-20 year olds where being 7'2 is a huge advantage. Thats a lot different than going up against 6'10, 6'11, 7 footers who outweigh him by 50 pounds. Do people actually think Malauch isnt a project and would be able to play real nba minutes today for a team looking to make the playoffs?

Sure, its my opinion that he's a project, but thats also the opinion of basically every person ive seen project this draft

[DreamTeam09]

I told y’all it’s gonna be one of Maluach or Queen.

I know some others agreed but a lot of people were picking other positions. It seemed pretty obvious when they almost refused to find a legit backup C lol I like Queen but my money is on them selecting Maluach.

Maluach has bust written all over him. Queen has a better feel for the game, but I don't think he's a super exciting prospect either. I really don't think we're picking either of them, unless Masai sees something we're missing.

I don't think him saying we need a bignan means we're drafting one with our top pick (unless it's Flagg). He wouldn't share that information publicly because it weakens our draft position.

It really doesn't weaken our position, especially if the teams around us aren't really taking bigs.
Totally disagree about him being a busy too, he played against team USA at 17 & was 7 3 1 in minimal minutes. I'll take similar production from my rookie back-up 5

[DG88]

I think CMB is a sleeper if we stay 7th or fall.

[Yallbecrazy]

Masai saying we need a big man.


1 Khaman Maluach - Duke
2 Derik Queen - Maryland
3 Joan Beringer - KK Cedevita Junior (Croatia)
4 Danny Wolf - Michigan
5 Ryan Kalkbrenner - Creighton

Much rather use the Portland pick for a big man. I dont see Masai getting Queen because he only really likes 2 way players and theres no other big at the top of the draft worth the pick (besides CMB, but im his only fan, lol)

Give me Broome or Condon in the 2nd round over reaching for Maluach with a top 10 pick

You are far from CMB's only fan, I got him 3rd and think it's almost objectively incorrect to have Queen above him as CMB did just about everything at least a little (some things moderately or significantly) better than Queen statistically and he did it while younger, against better competition and with a worse supporting cast.

Every year I pick a guy who I think is massively underrated by draft consensus and I think will be a good prospect
2025: CMB (bonus Condon and maybe Haugh)
2024: Filipowski (was going to be CMB, but he returned and wasn't as adamant on Filipowski)
2023: Podziemski
2022: Walker Kessler
2021: Sengun

[earthtone]

Maluach isnt an NBA player yet though. He doesnt solve anything next season...he's a legit project. Doesnt mean they wont draft him, but nobody is drafting him thinking he's gonna give us 15+ min and we're gonna be competitive.

That's your opinion & I don't agree with it.

He was able to start on the most heralded program in college basketball & did a good job doing so. He will continue to develop now over the summer & of course as he continues on he'll only get better. Actually wouldn't surprise me if he made a noticeable jump even by the end of his rookie season as I think he'd get the most 1 on 1 training/high level development he's ever received. I don't buy for a second he couldn't give this team 15 solid minutes, the kid can start on Duke, he can find a way to give you support minutes lol especially when he has an obvious role that most athletic bigs can do (be a rim runner which he was ELITE at and protect the rim) and that's at bare minimum -- again I'd expect that he'd actually add a bit more before the season is over.

Again I'm favoring Queen BUT I think many of you are overly downplaying Maluach just because you don't personally like him for our pick.

He's playing with other 18-20 year olds where being 7'2 is a huge advantage. Thats a lot different than going up against 6'10, 6'11, 7 footers who outweigh him by 50 pounds. Do people actually think Malauch isnt a project and would be able to play real nba minutes today for a team looking to make the playoffs?

Sure, its my opinion that he's a project, but thats also the opinion of basically every person ive seen project this draft

Don't know why it has to be an either/or scenario. Even with how much room he has to develop, I'd say it's more likely than not he ends his rookie season as Top 50 centre in the league. Don't see any reason he wouldn't be capable of playing 10-15 minutes in his first year.

[Jerry Lucas]

If the Raptors draft CMB, Yallbecrazy gets the credit for being 1st on his hype train in these threads. Since last year's draft cycle too.

[Raptorfan2012]

I think CMB is a sleeper if we stay 7th or fall.

I feel like CMB overlaps Scottie and Mogbo too much (undersized power forward); he better be able to play some SF and show off his 3 point stroke in workouts. I don't doubt CMB will be a good player; just not so sure he will fit the Raptors current line up.

[WuTang_CMB]

As those who supported the BI trade, we all said it was for talent acquisition and Masai confirmed that today. Our cost was minimal and now we got an all-star talent for next season. Add that to a top 10 pick, and Masai just bolstered the talent on this team for next season. Rookies are never counted on but a top 10 talent for years down the road is exciting especially when Masai is drafting.

[Clutch0z24]

I think CMB is a sleeper if we stay 7th or fall.

I been watching more of him and he has the Draymond type build to his game....Not really good 3 point shooter but can hit them occasionally, Might be one of the best defenders in the draft and can pass the ball decent....His height is not outstanding for his play style but maybe his defense can get him by being small...

His potential isn't the highest and hes the ultimate role player but he should have a long career....problem maybe fit though....If you put CMB in a lineup with Barrett, Barnes, Yak....The spacing on the floor becomes atrocious.

[Basketball_Jones]

Anybody similar to Desmond Bane? Holy crap that guy is good. Maybe Tre Johnson minus the defense.

[BoyzNTheHood]

Anybody similar to Desmond Bane? Holy crap that guy is good. Maybe Tre Johnson minus the defense.

Passed on this guy for Malachi Flynn because Bane has dino arms. Absolutely ridiculous oversight by Masai.

[REJECTEDBYCLARK]

Maluach isnt an NBA player yet though. He doesnt solve anything next season...he's a legit project. Doesnt mean they wont draft him, but nobody is drafting him thinking he's gonna give us 15+ min and we're gonna be competitive.

That's your opinion & I don't agree with it.

He was able to start on the most heralded program in college basketball & did a good job doing so. He will continue to develop now over the summer & of course as he continues on he'll only get better. Actually wouldn't surprise me if he made a noticeable jump even by the end of his rookie season as I think he'd get the most 1 on 1 training/high level development he's ever received. I don't buy for a second he couldn't give this team 15 solid minutes, the kid can start on Duke, he can find a way to give you support minutes lol especially when he has an obvious role that most athletic bigs can do (be a rim runner which he was ELITE at and protect the rim) and that's at bare minimum -- again I'd expect that he'd actually add a bit more before the season is over.

Again I'm favoring Queen BUT I think many of you are overly downplaying Maluach just because you don't personally like him for our pick.

He's playing with other 18-20 year olds where being 7'2 is a huge advantage. Thats a lot different than going up against 6'10, 6'11, 7 footers who outweigh him by 50 pounds. Do people actually think Malauch isnt a project and would be able to play real nba minutes today for a team looking to make the playoffs?

Sure, its my opinion that he's a project, but thats also the opinion of basically every person ive seen project this draft

95% of 18 year olds drafted aren't ready to play significant minutes at a winning level for a playoff contending team so I'm not sure why you're pounding the drum here about that.

[Yallbecrazy]

If the Raptors draft CMB, Yallbecrazy gets the credit for being 1st on his hype train in these threads. Since last year's draft cycle too.

I didn't even know who CMB was until like February last year when someone here mentioned him and I looked up his stats and was flabbergasted that a player like him existed and wasn't projected to be a top 5 pick in the super weak 2024 draft.

Credit to that other guy.