sunsbg wrote:Saberestar wrote:sunsbg wrote:
What do you think is the ceiling of Maluach ? He certainly didn't show in college or SL being worth more than unprotected pick from projected top 5-6 worst team, much less another pick added. I don't see him as more than high role player, fringe star unfortunately. With how **** up this franchise's future is with Ishbia's suicide moves gambling again on a top pick in supposedly deep draft wouldn't been too bad. I had a look at comparisons for projected '26 top two picks, one is Tracy McGradey and the other - Devin Booker. Our FO would've picked a Booker clone in a heart beat lol.
High ceiling for sure. Look at the tools:
A mobile 7'2, 253 lbs with high motor, good shooting for a C , coachable, fast learner and hard worker.
We are talking about a 18/19 yo who played great his role in his freshman season at Duke.
He was highly expected to be drafted somewhere from #6 to #9, but we were lucky to have him available at #10.
He was OK in Summer League. He showed good things but he is developing yet.
Most of the rookies did about the same. How Demin played? How Murray-Boyles played? Those two were selected before him.
Yeah, all three were OK but not impressive on the court but got experience and it was a nice first experience as a pros. They knew some coaches, sets...it was a good experience.
Coward (#11) couldn't even play because he was injured. That's much worse than not being super impressive as a rookie in Summer League.
Still do you see anything like franchise player out of him you can potentially get from unprotected pick ? If unlucky I'm sure there would be some other lottery talent next draft who'll get you excited even with subpar SL play.
Franchise player...who knows? Who knew that Nash could be a franchise player before his rookie season?
IDK if we could get "some other lottery talent" next year. The Pelicans will not tank and they have a pretty solid roster. Injuries were their biggest problem last year.
What I know for sure is that Maluach will be an exciting rookie to watch for me.