2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 8

[RoteSchroder]

After watching a longform video of all of Fleming's shot attempts, I have a hard time buying into his shooting. His mechanics are weird - he elevates really high and then seems to release the ball too late, like he held down the shooting button too long in 2k. This causes a lot of his shots to come up short (I mean serious bricks), which is worrisome at the college level where the line is significantly closer. I think it's far from a given that he's an automatic 3&D guy.

Watch on YouTube

haven't looked too closely at his shooting cause I'm not too interested in a 3+D guy with a low offensive ceiling, but that sounds similar to Norman Powell's problem when he first got into the league. From what I remember, he doesn't have a great arc on his shots either.

[XTC]

I look at Maluach's stats and it scares me. How does a guy with his size not know how to rebound? Or .... do anything of significance at all?

I get the need for a future C but this guy looks stiff and awkward and uncoordinated. If he's there Masai probably takes him and I cheer for him, but this kid has absolutely NOTHING on Zach Eddy or any other big C that's come out recently

He anchored one of the best defenses in the country. One that got *worse* with him off the floor.

I heard the on/off stats is otherwise, not much of a difference. You have reference that it was worse when he is off the floor?

It's a myth people spew out to make him look better.

Duke had a:

DRTG of 94.6 when he was on the court
DRTG of 94.3 when he was off the court

Duke had an alltime great defense whether Maluach was on the floor or not.

Source: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2025/04/duke-mens-basketball-khaman-maluach-development-final-four-jon-scheyer-offense-defense-rebounding-alley-oop

"Duke’s defensive rating, which measures points allowed per 100 possessions, did not change significantly from when Maluach was on the floor (94.6) to when he sat (94.3)"

If Maluach was anchoring the defense, the stats would reflect it. Maluach is a prime example of coulda, woulda, shoulda. I don't think people realize how bad his underlying numbers are. A 6.8 block percent for a guy this big is worrisome. I think the only guy who had a bad block percentage and became a legit rim protector where Brook Lopez, and Jarrett Allen.

Edit -
More stats... Opponents shot:

49% at the rim when Maluach was on the floor

55% at the rim when Maluach was off the floor

The anchor for this Duke team was Cooper Flagg, and Dukes defensive scheme.

[RoteSchroder]

If we go guard or wing at 9
Therrs a lot of good big man depth at 39

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

some of the less hyped bigs will likely be available at 39 (Maxime, Broome, Yanic, Johann Grunloh, Mouhamed Faye, Rocco Zikarsky)

However, I'd still go BPA and try to trade an SG for Goga if we don't draft a C

[Buff]

I look at Maluach's stats and it scares me. How does a guy with his size not know how to rebound? Or .... do anything of significance at all?

I get the need for a future C but this guy looks stiff and awkward and uncoordinated. If he's there Masai probably takes him and I cheer for him, but this kid has absolutely NOTHING on Zach Eddy or any other big C that's come out recently

He anchored one of the best defenses in the country. One that got *worse* with him off the floor.

I heard the on/off stats is otherwise, not much of a difference. You have reference that it was worse when he is off the floor?

Sorry I don't have the numbers, heard it on one of the scouting reports, it wasn't much for sure (seem to remember like 4%) but I think it is valid, if he couldn't rebound or defend defense would get better.

[XTC]

He anchored one of the best defenses in the country. One that got *worse* with him off the floor.

I heard the on/off stats is otherwise, not much of a difference. You have reference that it was worse when he is off the floor?

Sorry I don't have the numbers, heard it on one of the scouting reports, it wasn't much for sure (seem to remember like 4%) but I think it is valid, if he couldn't rebound or defend defense would get better.

The defense does get better when Maluach sits(94.6 on vs 94.3 off), and these stats are readily available (see above).

Let's not lie/spread misinformation to prop a prospect up.

[Yallbecrazy]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

Hint: both are prospect bigs in this draft class

Probably pass on both, I know who B is right away. Did A play in a major conference?

[Buff]

I look at Maluach's stats and it scares me. How does a guy with his size not know how to rebound? Or .... do anything of significance at all?

I get the need for a future C but this guy looks stiff and awkward and uncoordinated. If he's there Masai probably takes him and I cheer for him, but this kid has absolutely NOTHING on Zach Eddy or any other big C that's come out recently

He anchored one of the best defenses in the country. One that got *worse* with him off the floor.

You sure about that? I love when people bring this up This myth has been debunked time and time again.

Duke had a DRTG of 94.6 when Maluach was on the floor, and a DRTG of 94.3 when Maluach was off the floor. Duke's defense got marginally better when Maluach sat. *Duke had an alltime great defense whether Maluach was playing or not.* is the phrase you should have said.

Source: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2025/04/duke-mens-basketball-khaman-maluach-development-final-four-jon-scheyer-offense-defense-rebounding-alley-oop

"Duke’s defensive rating, which measures points allowed per 100 possessions, did not change significantly from when Maluach was on the floor (94.6) to when he sat (94.3)."

Im still waiting for people to tell me why Maluach is this tantalizing center prospect. He's a center with amazing measurements, subpar combine athletic testing, can't block shots, and he has this imaginary jumper.

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/khaman-maluach/#:~:text=Duke's%20defense%20has%20a%20ridiculous,versus%20top%20100%20teams%20only).

And I qoute:

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). The supporting cast is elite, but the numbers are what they’re supposed to be for a primary rim-protecting prospect.

[Buff]

I heard the on/off stats is otherwise, not much of a difference. You have reference that it was worse when he is off the floor?

Sorry I don't have the numbers, heard it on one of the scouting reports, it wasn't much for sure (seem to remember like 4%) but I think it is valid, if he couldn't rebound or defend defense would get better.

The defense does get better when Maluach sits(94.6 on vs 94.3 off), and these stats are readily available (see above).

Let's not lie/spread misinformation to prop a prospect up.

Sorry I trust that guy from the swish theory better than you.
Let's not lie/spread misinformation to take a prospect down.

[Dalek]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

Hint: both are prospect bigs in this draft class

Probably pass on both, I know who B is right away. Did A play in a major conference?

I don't get Hansen Yang hype. His stats are inflated from the CBA. Can anyone please watch one CBA game and find anything resembling a pro league?

Yang is a terrible mover and way out of shape for the NBA. If some team drafts him expecting Joker they will be disappointed. He is like Nurkic with worse defense. Actually reminds me of Big Country for all those old Grizzlies fans.

[nowayguy]

Regarding the Malauch stats: The Swish Theory article seems to limit the numbers to Top 100 opponents (but I'm not sure it was written after the season ended) which makes it potentially more useful if we're honest.

[SpezNc]

Im starting to lean Fleming with our pick. The top 8 seems pretty solid -> Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe, Bailey, Fears, Kon, Queen, Tre

Meaning if one of those guys slips, I'd probably take them.

Outside of that we are picking from Fleming, Essengue, Maluach, Bryant, Demin, Kasparas, J-Rich

I like KJ and Fleming but I think Fleming has more 2-way upside. We need a great shooter next to Barnes and Poeltl and Fleming could be that guy who also plays great defense.

If Maluach is there, I think he's the pick. He fits the need of another big and he has the size/versatility/potential the Raps typically look for in a prospect.

I hope he's off the board so we don't take him. We need someone with high offensive upside, we need to go star potential hunting with this pick.

At 9 , star hunting is a long shot game !

[XTC]

Sorry I don't have the numbers, heard it on one of the scouting reports, it wasn't much for sure (seem to remember like 4%) but I think it is valid, if he couldn't rebound or defend defense would get better.

The defense does get better when Maluach sits(94.6 on vs 94.3 off), and these stats are readily available (see above).

Let's not lie/spread misinformation to prop a prospect up.

Sorry I trust that guy from the swish theory better than you.
Let's not lie/spread misinformation to take a prospect down.

Your numbers are vs top 100 teams(8 game sample size). Quite convenient to shorten a sample size in college basketball none the less

Anyone who has seen Maluach play (not scouting reports), could see these issues have been a red flag all season. His size gives him a huge advantage at the college level, but even then his defensive impact is minimal... bigs in the NBA are going to eat him alive.

And btw all stats are courtesy of Hoop Explorer, you're more than free to search it up yourself, but you won't. If it makes you feel better to to skew stats to make Maluach seem better, more power to you brother.

[Buff]

The defense does get better when Maluach sits(94.6 on vs 94.3 off), and these stats are readily available (see above).

Let's not lie/spread misinformation to prop a prospect up.

Sorry I trust that guy from the swish theory better than you.
Let's not lie/spread misinformation to take a prospect down.

Your numbers are vs top 100 teams. Quite convenient shorten a sample size(College basketball none the less.)

Anyone who has seen Maluach play (not scouting reports), could see these issues have been a red flag all season. His size gives him a huge advantage at the college level, but even then his defensive impact is minimal... bigs in the NBA are going to eat him alive.

And btw all stats are courtesy of Hoop Explorer, you're more than free to search it up yourself, but you won't. If it makes you feel better to to skew stats to make Maluach seem better, more power to you brother.

Not my numbers man, I have a fulltime job. I think you started yelling that was I a sudanese agent over a 4% or so... that could be like 3 possesions, lol.

Take it up with the swish theory guys if it gets you so riled up.

[XTC]

Regarding the Malauch stats: The Swish Theory article seems to limit the numbers to Top 100 opponents (but I'm not sure it was written after the season ended) which makes it potentially more useful if we're honest.

It's also a 18 game sample size.

[wegotthabeet]

If we draft Carter I’m changing my username to Ja’Kobe Bryant.

[XTC]

Sorry I trust that guy from the swish theory better than you.
Let's not lie/spread misinformation to take a prospect down.

Your numbers are vs top 100 teams. Quite convenient shorten a sample size(College basketball none the less.)

Anyone who has seen Maluach play (not scouting reports), could see these issues have been a red flag all season. His size gives him a huge advantage at the college level, but even then his defensive impact is minimal... bigs in the NBA are going to eat him alive.

And btw all stats are courtesy of Hoop Explorer, you're more than free to search it up yourself, but you won't. If it makes you feel better to to skew stats to make Maluach seem better, more power to you brother.

Not my numbers man, I have a fulltime job. I think you started yelling that was I a sudanese agent over a 4% or so... that could be like 3 possesions, lol.

Take it up with the swish theory guys if it gets you so riled up.

It's all good bro

Like I said no need to skew stats to prop a player up or down my guy. I personally have no horse in this race, I think this draft is super underwhelming... but I can't get behind a center whose got an entire fan base glazing, just because of measurements. His underlying numbers are awful.

[nowayguy]

Regarding the Malauch stats: The Swish Theory article seems to limit the numbers to Top 100 opponents (but I'm not sure it was written after the season ended) which makes it potentially more useful if we're honest.

It's also a 8 game sample size.

The number seems to be 18 unless I'm counting wrong. It seems to be virtually impossible, even from a quick glance, that they only played 8 top 100 teams all season when they played 4 in the tournament alone. I'm assuming it uses NET ratings to determine Top 100 opponents but maybe they have their own system.

[RoteSchroder]

I don't get Hansen Yang hype. His stats are inflated from the CBA. Can anyone please watch one CBA game and find anything resembling a pro league?

Yang is a terrible mover and way out of shape for the NBA. If some team drafts him expecting Joker they will be disappointed. He is like Nurkic with worse defense. Actually reminds me of Big Country for all those old Grizzlies fans.

My comparison would be Marc Gasol-level on offense, Jokic on defense (with better shot blocking, worse stamina). He has way better IQ than Nurkic. Being out of shape seems less concerning (unless he becomes injury prone with the added stress of getting in shape).

I'd look at his non-CBA games..he dominated losers like Sarr in the U19 FIBA world cup and had the highest blocks per game (5 blk/game). To me, it seems like he takes advantages of smaller or more scrawny bigs and struggles against players with length, size and strength, which means match-ups against Jokic, Wemby, Embiid, Gobert, etc. may be rough. His perimeter game needs to come along against those match-ups.

Yang's athletic profile tested better than Maluach's across the board. If I could identify the mobility issues with Yang, I'd say his stamina (he's slow in transition), secondary jump, turning his hips, and defensive stance on the perimeter are a bit lacking. If his mobility is a problem, I think there's a potential to fill an Olynyk role on the bench where stamina isn't a huge issue with 15-20 min/game.

[WuTang_CMB]

If we go guard or wing at 9
Therrs a lot of good big man depth at 39

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

some of the less hyped bigs will likely be available at 39 (Maxime, Broome, Yanic, Johann Grunloh, Mouhamed Faye, Rocco Zikarsky)

However, I'd still go BPA and try to trade an SG for Goga if we don't draft a C

I'm going big at 39 if its not Mal

[XTC]

Regarding the Malauch stats: The Swish Theory article seems to limit the numbers to Top 100 opponents (but I'm not sure it was written after the season ended) which makes it potentially more useful if we're honest.

It's also a 8 game sample size.

The number seems to be 18 unless I'm counting wrong. It seems to be virtually impossible, even from a quick glance, that they only played 8 top 100 teams all season when they played 4 in the tournament alone. I'm assuming it uses NET ratings to determine Top 100 opponents but maybe they have their own system.

You are correct, typo on my end.