2025 NBA Draft Discussion Part 5

[Tripod]

How I see it...assuming we don't move up.

Whoever we get at 7ish...are they better than a starter? No. Are they better than what we have as a backup...depends.

PG's...might be better offensively, but not better defensively than Shead. So gotta balance both upsides.

SG...They might have scoring upside than Gradey or JKW...might. Defensively...likely more than Gradey but JKW showed he can impact on D.

F-Queen could fill the backup F role now and likely contribute to winning. And he could backup Yak at C and play him with Mogbo or Barnes.

C-already talked about Queen. So now Maluach. Fills a hole at backup C. And with us likely re-signing Yak anyways, he has 4 years as a backup to learn from Yak and hopefully get better...to the point of replacing him when his 2nd contract comes up.

Queen and Maluach gives us things we don't have on the roster right now. Others are more a "is he better than what we have already...or can they be".

It's on Masai to figure it out.

Or maybe we just win the lottery and not have to worry about who to take!

[KillaSham23]

Ren you're more cooked without DelAbbot than Lively is without Luka. Lively will be fine.

He’s as cooked as you are.

You don’t draft lob catchers with a top 7 pick.

This is exactly what I think... If Whiteside couldn't stay in the league Maluach with half the skill won't be the guy. It'll take many many years of development.

[Los_29]

Ren you're more cooked without DelAbbot than Lively is without Luka. Lively will be fine.

He’s as cooked as you are.

You don’t draft lob catchers with a top 7 pick.

This is exactly what I think... If Whiteside couldn't stay in the league Maluach with half the skill won't be the guy. It'll take many many years of development.

There are many other reasons why Whiteside didn’t stick around. Lots of players like Malauch making big contributions around the league.

[KillaSham23]

He’s as cooked as you are.

You don’t draft lob catchers with a top 7 pick.

This is exactly what I think... If Whiteside couldn't stay in the league Maluach with half the skill won't be the guy. It'll take many many years of development.

There are many other reasons why Whiteside didn’t stick around. Lots of players like Malauch making big contributions around the league.

Like? Lively or Capela maybe? I just don't see it with him. The draft lottery can't happen soon enough lol

[HumbleRen]

i don't like how people try and convince people that Maluach is more than just a P&R Lob threat on offense....Because im pretty sure thats all he will be....He can't pass, Can't Dribble, Can't really shoot (I watched tape of him and his jumpshots brick badly or air ball alot) Can't really make a post up move or beat a defender with a go to move...

You just described Jakob Poeltl. Can't dribble, when he does it's a turnover. Can't post up, when he does he gets stuffed at the rim, bricks it, or it's a turnover again. His shooting is all push shots from the foul line at furthest, he's actually an extremely limited 7 foot big who is a pure centre and can't even dunk the ball consistently like Maluach can. Not even a great shot blocker or above average rebounder for his position and our team is completely lost without him because he's the only player with size we have who can actually guard anyone above 6'9". Literally he is the only player 6'9" or taller on the team who is a playable rotation player.

So guess what? True big man Cs don't do most of those things you want him to do. Does Jarrett Allen post up every possession? Does he dribble the ball on the perimeter or shoot 3s? Or even midrange 2s? No, that's not what you get a 7"+ C to do in the modern NBA, I swear this board is obsessed with guards, you can't build an entire team with 6'5" and 6'6" wings and guards, even Scottie is undersized for PF at 6'7", we are one of the most undersized teams in the entire league, it might be ok if we were loaded with 3 point shooting at every position but we aren't.

I think you’re heavily doing Poeltl a disservice by trying to downplay him to prop up Khaman.

He has elite footwork among bigs, his passing ability is very good for a big. He’s able to convert from almost anywhere in the paint despite being put in comprising positions from Scottie/IQ. Elite rebounder, incredibly soft hands with elite screening ability. Is it unfortunate that he isn’t a vertical threat? Yes but he does so much stuff that doesn’t pop on the screen compared to dunks.

The only reason why I understand Masai wanting to draft Khaman is because Poeltl is playing himself into getting overpaid on his next extension.

[Clutch0z24]

i don't like how people try and convince people that Maluach is more than just a P&R Lob threat on offense....Because im pretty sure thats all he will be....He can't pass, Can't Dribble, Can't really shoot (I watched tape of him and his jumpshots brick badly or air ball alot) Can't really make a post up move or beat a defender with a go to move...

You just described Jakob Poeltl. Can't dribble, when he does it's a turnover. Can't post up, when he does he gets stuffed at the rim, bricks it, or it's a turnover again. His shooting is all push shots from the foul line at furthest, he's actually an extremely limited 7 foot big who is a pure centre and can't even dunk the ball consistently like Maluach can. Not even a great shot blocker or above average rebounder for his position and our team is completely lost without him because he's the only player with size we have who can actually guard anyone above 6'9". Literally he is the only player 6'9" or taller on the team who is a playable rotation player.

So guess what? True big man Cs don't do most of those things you want him to do. Does Jarrett Allen post up every possession? Does he dribble the ball on the perimeter or shoot 3s? Or even midrange 2s? No, that's not what you get a 7"+ C to do in the modern NBA, I swear this board is obsessed with guards, you can't build an entire team with 6'5" and 6'6" wings and guards, even Scottie is undersized for PF at 6'7", we are one of the most undersized teams in the entire league, it might be ok if we were loaded with 3 point shooting at every position but we aren't.

Yes he can develop but the chances of him being the player everyone thinks he can become one day are prolly 30 percent.....He prolly would need a Luka/CP3 level PG to play with to really maximize him....We do not have that kind of a player to really showcase Maluach if we draft him so it might look ugly for a few years till we find a guy to pair with him.

Problem for me with Maluach is he is the type of player you add to a team if you already have a Luka Doncic type player you are building around....Some people will say thats Barnes....Which i disagree....I think Queen will be the better player than Maluach at the end of the day....But we shall see.

Great, now we need a top 3 superstar to justify having a C who isn't freaking Nikola Jokic, I guess we should just close up the franchise now, since that's not happening. Queen might wind up being a fine player but a) there's a good chance he's off board at 7-9 and b) the one thing you can't be as a C in the NBA is a bad defender. You seem perfectly fine with the idea Queen will learn how to become a good defender, but not with the idea that Maluach will improve when he is younger and hasn't been playing basketball that long.

While Yak is a fine and good C in the league he could also be upgraded upon....Ofc we look bad when Yak is out of the lineup because we have friggin Mogbo/Boucher as the players who replace him....Lol....But Yak is a very good passer and also has skills Maluach does not have and prolly will never have....I never see Maluach get the ball and make a play with it....He will be a P&R Lob threat on offense ....Thats it....I don't see him ever being what you and others are trying to suggest he can be...

Well yes....Its team building at the end of the day and when you select a player with your top lottery pick you need to realize that Maluach is a certain player....You could deff take him and he can contribute for you....But will he be maximized to his fullest potential and will you get the most out of him if you don't have the right player around him....Yes that could make or break you as a big man prospect sometimes...Especially a P&R Lob threat one.

Look at Lively he was being looked at so highly while playing along side Luka (Because he made Lively twice as good of a player)....Now with the Mavs team hes playing with now he looks 2 tiers worse....

It deff matters....Because if we draft Maluach...I don't think we have a player to get him the easy lob dunks, The wide open layups...Which he needs to be successful....He could struggle here till we find a player that can maximize his strengths.... This is why i will always pick the player that has more all around skills vs the player who doesn't because the Maluach type of players need another player to make them great....While the more skilled player can make themselves great.

[Los_29]

This is exactly what I think... If Whiteside couldn't stay in the league Maluach with half the skill won't be the guy. It'll take many many years of development.

There are many other reasons why Whiteside didn’t stick around. Lots of players like Malauch making big contributions around the league.

Like? Lively or Capela maybe? I just don't see it with him. The draft lottery can't happen soon enough lol

Defensive-minded, rim-running bigs are very popular. Malauch has enough shooting touch to possibly develop into a 3pt shooter as well.

He’s only 18.

[Bruin]

Won’t be surprised if the Mavs win the lotto. The whole Luka deal must’ve included some under the table stuff from the league to get Luka to LA for ratings

[Wise80]

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.

[DreamTeam09]

There are many other reasons why Whiteside didn’t stick around. Lots of players like Malauch making big contributions around the league.

Like? Lively or Capela maybe? I just don't see it with him. The draft lottery can't happen soon enough lol

Defensive-minded, rim-running bigs are very popular. Malauch has enough shooting touch to possibly develop into a 3pt shooter as well.

He’s only 18.

Maluach instantly makes our team better, especially our 2nd unit. Imagine Shead coming off a screen from Khaman with GD or Walter or Shead in either corners.
Or Scottie coming off of a screen from Khaman and Khaman diving, that's a layup or dunk for Scottie or a lob overtop the big.
He also avg 3 orbd a game if I'm not mistaken, that instantly makes us better.

I'm not high on guys like fears/Tre/Kasp being better than players like Quickly/Walter/GD so take the big with the path for playing time & upside

[PushDaRock]

Looking at how cooked Lively is without Luka makes me not want to get Khaman even more so now lol.

Never grab bigs in the top 7 unless they have elite touch around the rim. I’ll always abide by that rule.

Not an issue anymore when we drop down to 8th then

[HumbleRen]

Looking at how cooked Lively is without Luka makes me not want to get Khaman even more so now lol.

Never grab bigs in the top 7 unless they have elite touch around the rim. I’ll always abide by that rule.

Not an issue anymore when we drop down to 8th then

Knowing us, we’ll get the 9th and Khaman will go one spot before us.

[ciueli]

i don't like how people try and convince people that Maluach is more than just a P&R Lob threat on offense....Because im pretty sure thats all he will be....He can't pass, Can't Dribble, Can't really shoot (I watched tape of him and his jumpshots brick badly or air ball alot) Can't really make a post up move or beat a defender with a go to move...

You just described Jakob Poeltl. Can't dribble, when he does it's a turnover. Can't post up, when he does he gets stuffed at the rim, bricks it, or it's a turnover again. His shooting is all push shots from the foul line at furthest, he's actually an extremely limited 7 foot big who is a pure centre and can't even dunk the ball consistently like Maluach can. Not even a great shot blocker or above average rebounder for his position and our team is completely lost without him because he's the only player with size we have who can actually guard anyone above 6'9". Literally he is the only player 6'9" or taller on the team who is a playable rotation player.

So guess what? True big man Cs don't do most of those things you want him to do. Does Jarrett Allen post up every possession? Does he dribble the ball on the perimeter or shoot 3s? Or even midrange 2s? No, that's not what you get a 7"+ C to do in the modern NBA, I swear this board is obsessed with guards, you can't build an entire team with 6'5" and 6'6" wings and guards, even Scottie is undersized for PF at 6'7", we are one of the most undersized teams in the entire league, it might be ok if we were loaded with 3 point shooting at every position but we aren't.

I think you’re heavily doing Poeltl a disservice by trying to downplay him to prop up Khaman.

He has elite footwork among bigs, his passing ability is very good for a big. He’s able to convert from almost anywhere in the paint despite being put in comprising positions from Scottie/IQ. Elite rebounder, incredibly soft hands with elite screening ability. Is it unfortunate that he isn’t a vertical threat? Yes but he does so much stuff that doesn’t pop on the screen compared to dunks.

The only reason why I understand Masai wanting to draft Khaman is because Poeltl is playing himself into getting overpaid on his next extension.

I don't agree, I watched almost every Raptors game this season and that's not what I saw. A lot is made of Jak being this incredible passing big man, but the reality is the majority of his game is just playing pick and roll with a guard and finishing around the rim on high percentage layups. Throw in the fact that he's the rare 7ft big man who can credibly switch onto perimeter players without giving up too much and that is what makes him valuable. And that's exactly what Maluach does and will be projected to do at the next level. Top level switch defence for a player his size, high percentage scoring around the rim on passes, effective play in the pick and roll as a finisher. Guys who are 7'2", have insane wingspan and can do all of that don't grow on trees, plenty of NBA teams would love to have a player like that. As for the passing, was Jakob billed as an excellent passer coming into the NBA as a rookie? I certainly don't remember it being one of his advertised strengths at the time, there's every reason to believe an 18 year old can be taught that over the course of his rookie contract.

[PushDaRock]

Looking at how cooked Lively is without Luka makes me not want to get Khaman even more so now lol.

Never grab bigs in the top 7 unless they have elite touch around the rim. I’ll always abide by that rule.

Not an issue anymore when we drop down to 8th then

Knowing us, we’ll get the 9th and Khaman will go one spot before us.

the board will be pleased when we draft Liam McNeeley with the #9 pick

[HumbleRen]

You just described Jakob Poeltl. Can't dribble, when he does it's a turnover. Can't post up, when he does he gets stuffed at the rim, bricks it, or it's a turnover again. His shooting is all push shots from the foul line at furthest, he's actually an extremely limited 7 foot big who is a pure centre and can't even dunk the ball consistently like Maluach can. Not even a great shot blocker or above average rebounder for his position and our team is completely lost without him because he's the only player with size we have who can actually guard anyone above 6'9". Literally he is the only player 6'9" or taller on the team who is a playable rotation player.

So guess what? True big man Cs don't do most of those things you want him to do. Does Jarrett Allen post up every possession? Does he dribble the ball on the perimeter or shoot 3s? Or even midrange 2s? No, that's not what you get a 7"+ C to do in the modern NBA, I swear this board is obsessed with guards, you can't build an entire team with 6'5" and 6'6" wings and guards, even Scottie is undersized for PF at 6'7", we are one of the most undersized teams in the entire league, it might be ok if we were loaded with 3 point shooting at every position but we aren't.

I think you’re heavily doing Poeltl a disservice by trying to downplay him to prop up Khaman.

He has elite footwork among bigs, his passing ability is very good for a big. He’s able to convert from almost anywhere in the paint despite being put in comprising positions from Scottie/IQ. Elite rebounder, incredibly soft hands with elite screening ability. Is it unfortunate that he isn’t a vertical threat? Yes but he does so much stuff that doesn’t pop on the screen compared to dunks.

The only reason why I understand Masai wanting to draft Khaman is because Poeltl is playing himself into getting overpaid on his next extension.

I don't agree, I watched almost every Raptors game this season and that's not what I saw. A lot is made of Jak being this incredible passing big man, but the reality is the majority of his game is just playing pick and roll with a guard and finishing around the rim on high percentage layups. Throw in the fact that he's the rare 7ft big man who can credibly switch onto perimeter players without giving up too much and that is what makes him valuable. And that's exactly what Maluach does and will be projected to do at the next level. Top level switch defence for a player his size, high percentage scoring around the rim on passes, effective play in the pick and roll as a finisher. Guys who are 7'2", have insane wingspan and can do all of that don't grow on trees, plenty of NBA teams would love to have a player like that. As for the passing, was Jakob billed as an excellent passer coming into the NBA as a rookie? I certainly don't remember it being one of his advertised strengths at the time, there's every reason to believe an 18 year old can be taught that over the course of his rookie contract.

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.

[Los_29]

Like? Lively or Capela maybe? I just don't see it with him. The draft lottery can't happen soon enough lol

Defensive-minded, rim-running bigs are very popular. Malauch has enough shooting touch to possibly develop into a 3pt shooter as well.

He’s only 18.

Maluach instantly makes our team better, especially our 2nd unit. Imagine Shead coming off a screen from Khaman with GD or Walter or Shead in either corners.
Or Scottie coming off of a screen from Khaman and Khaman diving, that's a layup or dunk for Scottie or a lob overtop the big.
He also avg 3 orbd a game if I'm not mistaken, that instantly makes us better.

I'm not high on guys like fears/Tre/Kasp being better than players like Quickly/Walter/GD so take the big with the path for playing time & upside

I agree, if Khaman is what scouts think he is, then he will make a big difference. We will have 48 minutes of good-great center play while having depth at the wings and capable guards.

Malauch may not turn into a superstar but what are the chances that some of those guards in our range do? Not likely. Sometimes you gotta take these doubles instead of trying to swing for the fences and striking out.

[deeps6x]

The amount of Pro Maluach talk on this forum is really worrying

It makes me feel like it’s inevitable.

I just don’t see the comp for Maluach as a winner in today’s NBA. Even Rudy Gobert with a Jump shot is his absolute 110% upside and Gobert gets played off the floor regularly. That being said, I don’t even think Maluach is better than Kel Ware.

So many more interesting guys in the top of the lottery.

He’s not close to Ware, and since when has talk on this board amounted to anything? Going back to Ed O’Bannon when have Raptors fans gotten what they wanted?

Also Ware wasn't playing at the end of the game in small ball. Really, watching Okongu develop a passable 3 pt shot at age 24, makes me want to draft Rasheer Fleming more. Bryant and Fleming!

I wonder where Bryant and Fleming will be drafted. I'd love to get them both. But even if we could convince either of Orlando or OKC to trade up to land two FRPs (for 7th or later), I don't know if we'd be able to land both of them. I have a feeling Bryant goes in the lottery. Fleming is probably still there at 24 or 25.

Orlando: 16, 24 [13m before tax, 11 players]
OKC: 15, 25 [13m before tax, 14 players]

[ciueli]

I think you’re heavily doing Poeltl a disservice by trying to downplay him to prop up Khaman.

He has elite footwork among bigs, his passing ability is very good for a big. He’s able to convert from almost anywhere in the paint despite being put in comprising positions from Scottie/IQ. Elite rebounder, incredibly soft hands with elite screening ability. Is it unfortunate that he isn’t a vertical threat? Yes but he does so much stuff that doesn’t pop on the screen compared to dunks.

The only reason why I understand Masai wanting to draft Khaman is because Poeltl is playing himself into getting overpaid on his next extension.

I don't agree, I watched almost every Raptors game this season and that's not what I saw. A lot is made of Jak being this incredible passing big man, but the reality is the majority of his game is just playing pick and roll with a guard and finishing around the rim on high percentage layups. Throw in the fact that he's the rare 7ft big man who can credibly switch onto perimeter players without giving up too much and that is what makes him valuable. And that's exactly what Maluach does and will be projected to do at the next level. Top level switch defence for a player his size, high percentage scoring around the rim on passes, effective play in the pick and roll as a finisher. Guys who are 7'2", have insane wingspan and can do all of that don't grow on trees, plenty of NBA teams would love to have a player like that. As for the passing, was Jakob billed as an excellent passer coming into the NBA as a rookie? I certainly don't remember it being one of his advertised strengths at the time, there's every reason to believe an 18 year old can be taught that over the course of his rookie contract.

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.

[WuTang_CMB]

I think the most important reason gasol was integral to our team was him quarterbacking the defense, not his passing on O. His offense was already on the decline at that point

His passing was still very good for those 1.5 years

I wouldn’t put Queen in the same stratosphere as Gasol passing wise, and the same goes for Maluach but defensively. Gasol was incredible.

In no way am i putting queen with gasol but he’s a quarterback type centre. How effective he is at the next level is another question.

[ArthurVandelay]

This is one of the first years I’ve thought “**** it” on the draft.

The front office has a pretty good track record. I’m just going to leave it to them….and criticize after the fact like I know better.

I’m pretty down on the draft overall. Probably due to the hype about it. I don’t think it has lived up to (my) expectations.