2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[mademan]

Ive seen some highlights and he really does pop. If he develops a jumper, he'll be unguardable as guys really cant stay in front of him, and he has great size/wingspan at the PG spot.

It is worrying though that a guy who's been playing basketball his whole life and professionally for a few years is still such a poor shooter. Maybe its just not fixable, and that would really cap him in this league. 25% and 27% in 2 years with the international line is really bad, and he's a low 70 % FT shooter

[ciueli]

I’m not in the business of playing theoretical. A lot of what Khaman is simply theoretical whenever people discuss him.

I think he’s a good prospect for what it’s worth.

Every player in the draft is theoretical to some degree. Look at the other players in our range and ask what happens if they don't develop right. Queen is the next Jahlil Okafor, an extremely gifted offensive centre who couldn't make it in the NBA because he never figured out how to play defence or shoot. If Fears continues to turn the ball over they way he did in college and doesn't learn to shoot he's useless in the NBA, there is vanishingly little space remaining for point guards who shoot below 30% from 3. Kneuppel is potentially Gradey Dick 2.0, but with the fear that all his stats are just the result of getting to play with Cooper Flagg. I could go on, the point is that there are no guarantees, drafting 18-20 year olds involves a huge amount of guesswork. At least with Maluach even if he doesn't develop the shooting and passing bits we know he's a still looking like a functional NBA centre, I don't know that about some of these guards/wings who are out of the league in 5 years if their 3 point shooting or defense doesn't improve.

How do we know he is looking like a functional NBA centre with his low block rate and low passing rate?

I already answered this. Duke had him aggressively contesting guards out on the perimeter, hard to rack up blocks when he’s not close to the basket. He didn’t have the luxury of someone like Zach Edey playing drop coverage every possession and staying in the paint due to his lack of mobility. With respect to passing, that’s just not how he was used in Duke’s system. Look at Jak’s freshman season and it’s the same story, their college numbers are very similar per minute.

[TNRaps4life]

After watching these last few games in the playoffs, I don't want to draft any player shorter than 6'5. The league is getting way taller. ....

[Clutch0z24]

After watching these last few games in the playoffs, I don't want to draft any player shorter than 6'5. The league is getting way taller. ....

Most of the players in our range are tall.....So that should not be a problem

[mtcan]

Why are we comparing Malachi to Lively? Maluach has a developing jumper already. Also Lively was pretty much the same with and without Luka this season. So are we basing this all on one game? He has only been back for 6 games since Jan and barely played. The Mavs basically have no guards who can create after losing both Doncic and Kyrie. Most 5s will struggle in the offense with the type of playable guards the Mavs have right now and Lively was never drafted to create offense.

I agree with the concerns, but there are just as many concerns with the other players around that slot. Heck, what is Queen’s best case scenario - Sengun? So we would need to surround him with elite defensive players to make this work and he has to hit all star status for him to be playable as a starter. He could end up becoming a 6th man type off the bench and I’m not sure you want your 5 to be that.

I’m just going to close my mind to this and let Masai and company do their thing. It’s not as cut and dry as people are making it out to be. Other options are unathletic guards/forwards.

I’m hoping Fears is there because I’m not liking anyone else.

By developing Jumper are we talking about in practice? Cause i have not seen it on the court....Its not like Queen who is a very high level mid range shooter and can score with using jump shots from areas all over the court.....I don't think i seen a mid range shot from Maluach in all the film i watched at Duke....I seen a jump hook from 2 feet away from the basket and lob dunks...

And reason i think You compare Maluach and Lively is because they are in the same style of player....Both are elevated by the players around them....Would you agree Lively is a way better player with a player like Luka setting him up?...Ofc he is...Maluach will never be a player who can be a good player by generating his own buckets, He will never be a guy you can give it to in the post who could attract double teams and make the right pass.....

Defensive lob threats are def valuable players and needed on teams but imo you could get a better player with a high end draft pick especially if more skilled players are OTB still...Id rather trade, or draft late firsts or 2nd rounders for that kinda big than pick one with a high end lottery pick ...With high picks i always shy away from a raw big man...Since in NBA history its high chance they are not as good as where they were picked...

This is the 3rd time replying to you saying that you haven't seen him shoot on the court. He has shot the 3 at Duke.

But also........

Watch on YouTube

Watch for the footage of the South Sudan vs team USA in this highlight package. He drills a long 2 with Embiid in his face. He also hits an open 3.

The form on the shot looks good.

And as I said before...he's even said in an interview while at Basketball Africa Academy that Kyle Korver was helping him with his 3 point shot...at age 16.

Just because you don't see him doing it at Duke...doesn't mean he doesn't have it. It's the way he was used by the coaching staff.

[Clutch0z24]

Why are we comparing Malachi to Lively? Maluach has a developing jumper already. Also Lively was pretty much the same with and without Luka this season. So are we basing this all on one game? He has only been back for 6 games since Jan and barely played. The Mavs basically have no guards who can create after losing both Doncic and Kyrie. Most 5s will struggle in the offense with the type of playable guards the Mavs have right now and Lively was never drafted to create offense.

I agree with the concerns, but there are just as many concerns with the other players around that slot. Heck, what is Queen’s best case scenario - Sengun? So we would need to surround him with elite defensive players to make this work and he has to hit all star status for him to be playable as a starter. He could end up becoming a 6th man type off the bench and I’m not sure you want your 5 to be that.

I’m just going to close my mind to this and let Masai and company do their thing. It’s not as cut and dry as people are making it out to be. Other options are unathletic guards/forwards.

I’m hoping Fears is there because I’m not liking anyone else.

By developing Jumper are we talking about in practice? Cause i have not seen it on the court....Its not like Queen who is a very high level mid range shooter and can score with using jump shots from areas all over the court.....I don't think i seen a mid range shot from Maluach in all the film i watched at Duke....I seen a jump hook from 2 feet away from the basket and lob dunks...

And reason i think You compare Maluach and Lively is because they are in the same style of player....Both are elevated by the players around them....Would you agree Lively is a way better player with a player like Luka setting him up?...Ofc he is...Maluach will never be a player who can be a good player by generating his own buckets, He will never be a guy you can give it to in the post who could attract double teams and make the right pass.....

Defensive lob threats are def valuable players and needed on teams but imo you could get a better player with a high end draft pick especially if more skilled players are OTB still...Id rather trade, or draft late firsts or 2nd rounders for that kinda big than pick one with a high end lottery pick ...With high picks i always shy away from a raw big man...Since in NBA history its high chance they are not as good as where they were picked...

This is the 3rd time replying to you saying that you haven't seen him shoot on the court. He has shot the 3 at Duke.

But also........

Watch on YouTube

Watch for the footage of the South Sudan vs team USA in this highlight package. He drills a long 2 with Embiid in his face. He also hits an open 3.

The form on the shot looks good.

And as I said before...he's even said in an interview while at Basketball Africa Academy that Kyle Korver was helping him with his 3 point shot...at age 16.

Just because you don't see him doing it at Duke...doesn't mean he doesn't have it. It's the way he was used by the coaching staff.

I seen this video and a couple shots being made doesn't mean its "developed" Bruno was big and hitting more impressive 3s...Doesn't mean much to me...

Watch on YouTube

Watching his misses as well....His form is not broken but if he can't shoot a consistent jumpshot teams at high level will not let him shoot them....

Like i said i watched lots of tape on the kid and he has not shown me he can shoot the ball good....No mid range jump shots for his entire year at Duke is concerning to me....

If its being "Developed" its not being shown on the court....Taking them vs being able to make them are 2 different things.

[Psubs]

I don't follow prospects. I'll roll with Masai. I just hope Masai drafts for upside and potential and not for position of need. We could use a big, but this roster is so flawed, we could have 2 or 3 starters traded in the next season or two.

It's not soooooo flawed. More like just too small. Really if Castleton or Orlando Robinson are on the roster then it's a fail.

Replace Boucher with Rasheer Fleming and get a backup C like Condon or Tomislav and the defense is even better and add 2 guys that can shoot the 3 at least average for their positions.

Trade Agbaji to get a pick to take the backup C. Some people think Agbaji is worth more than a late 1st pick, but they aren't factoring the $5-6 million difference is salaries. Agbaji might be able to get the full MLE on the open market (but still right to match).

[Psubs]

Watch on YouTube

Watching his misses as well....His form is not broken but if he can't shoot a consistent jumpshot teams at high level will not let him shoot them....

Like i said i watched lots of tape on the kid and he has not shown me he can shoot the ball good....No mid range jump shots for his entire year at Duke is concerning to me....

If its being "Developed" its not being shown on the court....Taking them vs being able to make them are 2 different things.

Yikes!

In 3 years, when he's 21 will he have the offensive package like Tomislav Ivisic? Nor Maxime Raynaud. I think he could be a more nimble Kalkbrenner.

I don't know about others, but I'd rather have Rasheer Fleming than Maluach. I can see him saving from playing Mogbo as a C ever again and just focus guarding. SF/PF's. He will stretch the floor and is a really good slasher and finisher. It seems like he gets just as many lobs and dunks with his 7'5 wingspan. I think he's more like Jalen Duren (that can shoot 3's) but slightly smaller, so less rebounds but more steals.

[Psubs]

Carter Bryant is gonna be good.

He’s basically that OG Anunoby type mold. Already 6’8 225lbs, and can easily add 10+lbs. Already shoots the 3, and averaged 1 block and steal.

If we had another pick in the 12-16 range, he’s the perfect guy.

He has that physicality and toughness and relentless about him but seems even more smooth than OG so id think he has maybe more potential. We'll see.

He has that movement shooting, seems to show pull up 3 as well. I am high on him.
Think Trent with very good defense at SF.

I guess if we mix OG and Gary Trent with get Carter Bryant. That's #7 worth. Though I still want to trade down a bit and get another 1st.

[Psubs]

Why are we comparing Malachi to Lively? Maluach has a developing jumper already. Also Lively was pretty much the same with and without Luka this season. So are we basing this all on one game? He has only been back for 6 games since Jan and barely played. The Mavs basically have no guards who can create after losing both Doncic and Kyrie. Most 5s will struggle in the offense with the type of playable guards the Mavs have right now and Lively was never drafted to create offense.

I agree with the concerns, but there are just as many concerns with the other players around that slot. Heck, what is Queen’s best case scenario - Sengun? So we would need to surround him with elite defensive players to make this work and he has to hit all star status for him to be playable as a starter. He could end up becoming a 6th man type off the bench and I’m not sure you want your 5 to be that.

I’m just going to close my mind to this and let Masai and company do their thing. It’s not as cut and dry as people are making it out to be. Other options are unathletic guards/forwards.

I’m hoping Fears is there because I’m not liking anyone else.

By developing Jumper are we talking about in practice? Cause i have not seen it on the court....Its not like Queen who is a very high level mid range shooter and can score with using jump shots from areas all over the court.....I don't think i seen a mid range shot from Maluach in all the film i watched at Duke....I seen a jump hook from 2 feet away from the basket and lob dunks...

And reason i think You compare Maluach and Lively is because they are in the same style of player....Both are elevated by the players around them....Would you agree Lively is a way better player with a player like Luka setting him up?...Ofc he is...Maluach will never be a player who can be a good player by generating his own buckets, He will never be a guy you can give it to in the post who could attract double teams and make the right pass.....

Defensive lob threats are def valuable players and needed on teams but imo you could get a better player with a high end draft pick especially if more skilled players are OTB still...Id rather trade, or draft late firsts or 2nd rounders for that kinda big than pick one with a high end lottery pick ...With high picks i always shy away from a raw big man...Since in NBA history its high chance they are not as good as where they were picked...

Drafting Maluach at #7 would be like Donovan Clingan (but better FT shooting) being drafted #7. Clingan is taking some 3pt shots but shooting 28.6%. He's a positive player but not good value at #7. I for sure rather draft Ware later.

[ArthurVandelay]

Why are we comparing Malachi to Lively? Maluach has a developing jumper already. Also Lively was pretty much the same with and without Luka this season. So are we basing this all on one game? He has only been back for 6 games since Jan and barely played. The Mavs basically have no guards who can create after losing both Doncic and Kyrie. Most 5s will struggle in the offense with the type of playable guards the Mavs have right now and Lively was never drafted to create offense.

I agree with the concerns, but there are just as many concerns with the other players around that slot. Heck, what is Queen’s best case scenario - Sengun? So we would need to surround him with elite defensive players to make this work and he has to hit all star status for him to be playable as a starter. He could end up becoming a 6th man type off the bench and I’m not sure you want your 5 to be that.

I’m just going to close my mind to this and let Masai and company do their thing. It’s not as cut and dry as people are making it out to be. Other options are unathletic guards/forwards.

I’m hoping Fears is there because I’m not liking anyone else.

Because Lively was better than Maluach at Duke. Lively can pass and block. 9.8% assist rate and 12.8% block rate for Lively, while 4.3% assist rate and 6.8% block rate for Maluach. Lively had a better BPM than Maluach to begin with.

Watch on YouTube

Lively had 9.3 BPM vs 9.9 for Maluach.

Maluach had better PER, WS/40, TS%, Reb%s, FTr.

Oh and Maluach as a freshman is 2 years younger than Lively.

If Raptors pick Maluach, I’ll trust their judgement. No one is picking Maluach for what he is today. He is the ultimate projection pick.

[Indeed]

Why are we comparing Malachi to Lively? Maluach has a developing jumper already. Also Lively was pretty much the same with and without Luka this season. So are we basing this all on one game? He has only been back for 6 games since Jan and barely played. The Mavs basically have no guards who can create after losing both Doncic and Kyrie. Most 5s will struggle in the offense with the type of playable guards the Mavs have right now and Lively was never drafted to create offense.

I agree with the concerns, but there are just as many concerns with the other players around that slot. Heck, what is Queen’s best case scenario - Sengun? So we would need to surround him with elite defensive players to make this work and he has to hit all star status for him to be playable as a starter. He could end up becoming a 6th man type off the bench and I’m not sure you want your 5 to be that.

I’m just going to close my mind to this and let Masai and company do their thing. It’s not as cut and dry as people are making it out to be. Other options are unathletic guards/forwards.

I’m hoping Fears is there because I’m not liking anyone else.

Because Lively was better than Maluach at Duke. Lively can pass and block. 9.8% assist rate and 12.8% block rate for Lively, while 4.3% assist rate and 6.8% block rate for Maluach. Lively had a better BPM than Maluach to begin with.

Watch on YouTube

Lively had 9.3 BPM vs 9.9 for Maluach.

Maluach had better PER, WS/40, TS%, Reb%s, FTr.

Oh and Maluach as a freshman is 2 years younger than Lively.

If Raptors pick Maluach, I’ll trust their judgement. No one is picking Maluach for what he is today. He is the ultimate projection pick.

Maluach is 8.7 BPM.
Maluach has better TS% because of more at the rim dunks (81-91 89%), while Lively at rim dunks are less (54-55 98.2%). Many of those are due to Flagg, not because of Maluach.

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2025&p=Khaman%20Maluach&t=Duke
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2023&p=Dereck%20Lively%20II&t=Duke

[Indeed]

Every player in the draft is theoretical to some degree. Look at the other players in our range and ask what happens if they don't develop right. Queen is the next Jahlil Okafor, an extremely gifted offensive centre who couldn't make it in the NBA because he never figured out how to play defence or shoot. If Fears continues to turn the ball over they way he did in college and doesn't learn to shoot he's useless in the NBA, there is vanishingly little space remaining for point guards who shoot below 30% from 3. Kneuppel is potentially Gradey Dick 2.0, but with the fear that all his stats are just the result of getting to play with Cooper Flagg. I could go on, the point is that there are no guarantees, drafting 18-20 year olds involves a huge amount of guesswork. At least with Maluach even if he doesn't develop the shooting and passing bits we know he's a still looking like a functional NBA centre, I don't know that about some of these guards/wings who are out of the league in 5 years if their 3 point shooting or defense doesn't improve.

How do we know he is looking like a functional NBA centre with his low block rate and low passing rate?

I already answered this. Duke had him aggressively contesting guards out on the perimeter, hard to rack up blocks when he’s not close to the basket. He didn’t have the luxury of someone like Zach Edey playing drop coverage every possession and staying in the paint due to his lack of mobility. With respect to passing, that’s just not how he was used in Duke’s system. Look at Jak’s freshman season and it’s the same story, their college numbers are very similar per minute.

You seriously watched the games? I think you only watched highlights
Look at the blowbys, and ended up with drop coverage? How do you call that "guards out on the perimeter"?

Watch on YouTube

[Tripod]

Doesn't Maluach visa issues indicate we won't be taking him regardless?

[ArthurVandelay]

Because Lively was better than Maluach at Duke. Lively can pass and block. 9.8% assist rate and 12.8% block rate for Lively, while 4.3% assist rate and 6.8% block rate for Maluach. Lively had a better BPM than Maluach to begin with.

Watch on YouTube

Lively had 9.3 BPM vs 9.9 for Maluach.

Maluach had better PER, WS/40, TS%, Reb%s, FTr.

Oh and Maluach as a freshman is 2 years younger than Lively.

If Raptors pick Maluach, I’ll trust their judgement. No one is picking Maluach for what he is today. He is the ultimate projection pick.

Maluach is 8.7 BPM.
Maluach has better TS% because of more at the rim dunks (81-91 89%), while Lively at rim dunks are less (54-55 98.2%). Many of those are due to Flagg, not because of Maluach.

https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2025&p=Khaman%20Maluach&t=Duke
https://barttorvik.com/playerstat.php?year=2023&p=Dereck%20Lively%20II&t=Duke

Basketball reference has 9.3 vs 9.9

[dohboy_24]

Here are the 21 centers playing in the playoffs/play-in tournament this year:

Atlanta - Okongwu
Boston - Porzingis
Chicago - Vuvcevic
Cleveland - Allen
Dallas - Lively II & Gafford
Denver - Jokic
Detroit - Duren
Golden State - Green
Houston - Sengun
Indiana - Turner
LA Clippers - Zubac
LA Lakers - Hayes
Memphis - Edey
Miami - Ware
Milwaukee - Lopez
Minnesota - Gobert
New York - Towns
Oklahoma City - Hartenstein
Orlando - Carter Jr
Sacramento - Sabonis

Within the next 2-3 seasons, would you rather have Malauch as our starting center or a player who is randomly selected from the list above?

[BoyzNTheHood]

Here are the 21 centers playing in the playoffs/play-in tournament this year:

Atlanta - Okongwu
Boston - Porzingis
Chicago - Vuvcevic
Cleveland - Allen
Dallas - Lively II & Gafford
Denver - Jokic
Detroit - Duren
Golden State - Green
Houston - Sengun
Indiana - Turner
LA Clippers - Zubac
LA Lakers - Hayes
Memphis - Edey
Miami - Ware
Milwaukee - Lopez
Minnesota - Gobert
New York - Towns
Oklahoma City - Hartenstein
Orlando - Carter Jr
Sacramento - Sabonis

Within the next 2-3 seasons, would you rather have Malauch as our starting center or a player who is randomly selected from the list above?

14-15 of them over Maluach, quite easily.

[ciueli]

How do we know he is looking like a functional NBA centre with his low block rate and low passing rate?

I already answered this. Duke had him aggressively contesting guards out on the perimeter, hard to rack up blocks when he’s not close to the basket. He didn’t have the luxury of someone like Zach Edey playing drop coverage every possession and staying in the paint due to his lack of mobility. With respect to passing, that’s just not how he was used in Duke’s system. Look at Jak’s freshman season and it’s the same story, their college numbers are very similar per minute.

You seriously watched the games? I think you only watched highlights
Look at the blowbys, and ended up with drop coverage? How do you call that "guards out on the perimeter"?

Watch on YouTube

Sure, he gets blown by a few times and usually winds up blocking or successfully contesting the shot on the recovery, I don't see the problem here. For a 7'2" centre he's far more mobile than most of the similar size guys who play in the NBA, compare him to Zach Edey who spent entire possessions just standing in the paint in college and didn't even try to contest shots on the perimeter.

[WuTang_CMB]

KM and Newell

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/upside-swings-nba-draft-podcast/id1561566975?i=1000704053557

[Indeed]

I already answered this. Duke had him aggressively contesting guards out on the perimeter, hard to rack up blocks when he’s not close to the basket. He didn’t have the luxury of someone like Zach Edey playing drop coverage every possession and staying in the paint due to his lack of mobility. With respect to passing, that’s just not how he was used in Duke’s system. Look at Jak’s freshman season and it’s the same story, their college numbers are very similar per minute.

You seriously watched the games? I think you only watched highlights
Look at the blowbys, and ended up with drop coverage? How do you call that "guards out on the perimeter"?

Watch on YouTube

Sure, he gets blown by a few times and usually winds up blocking or successfully contesting the shot on the recovery, I don't see the problem here. For a 7'2" centre he's far more mobile than most of the similar size guys who play in the NBA, compare him to Zach Edey who spent entire possessions just standing in the paint in college and didn't even try to contest shots on the perimeter.

The concern is him being raw, the clip shows he is raw, and that means all the talks are theoretical.