The Raptors' season might not be over just yet, but that doesn't mean the allure of draft prospects in the upcoming 2025 talent pool isn't already sparking a ton of debate and discussion online.
Of course, when you talk about the 2025 draft class, you're immediately drawn to the top three players: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey. I’ve already examined how the Raptors could find their draft-day answer outside of the buzzing trio, with players like VJ Edgecombe and Kasparas Jakucionis.
But I’ve yet to tackle the captivating rookie out of South Sudan, who is proving to be quite the running mate for Flagg despite a limited role at Duke. Of course, I'm talking about the imposing 7-foot-2, 250-pound big man, Khaman Maluach.
What is it about Maluach's game that is drawing interest from the Raptors fanbase? Well, he's certainly a talented center at such a young age, but it's arguably Maluach's identification as a prototypical "Masai guy" that makes him an obvious addition to the franchise, should they choose to use their draft pick on him come June 25th.
Should the Raptors select Khaman Maluach in the draft?
On the season thus far with the Duke Blue Devils, Maluach is averaging the following stats through 27 games: 8.2 points on 71.4% field goal shooting, 74.1% from the free throw line, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Notice that I didn't mention his three-point shooting or playmaking ability, as these are significant elements of his game that are missing and certainly raise some concerns. Then again, at just 18 years of age, Maluach could be fine-tuned to incorporate these skills into his game. However, at his current value, the Raptors would merely be adding a rim-running big with defensive upside.
You can't let his towering frame and overwhelming size fool you; Maluach can maneuver his way around the court with impressive agility and mobility. He isn't just a guy who stays inside to block shots; Maluach can get past defenders around the mid-range and perimeter, too. However, there's definitely still some work to do before he becomes a truly refined player in that category.
So, keeping these thoughts in mind, how would Maluach fit into the Raptors' core?
I think you’re certainly taking a swing on Maluach's upside and perceived development into a standout NBA big, but I don't know if Toronto can unlock that potential in due time, especially with a win-now mindset likely to take over come next year. The Raptors proved at this trade deadline that they're not necessarily tanking; rather, they're retooling after acquiring star Brandon Ingram.
I'm not saying Maluach isn't the right guy, but what about Ulrich Chomche too? Sure, he's a much longer-term project than Maluach, but the Raptors' front office must see something similar in his development to justify that selection. Having both Maluach and Chomche on the roster seems a bit redundant.
To me, Maluach is someone for the Raptors' front office to consider if they fall out of the top seven, and given the Tankathon odds, I don't see them falling past that threshold.
Maluach is a very intriguing prospect, but his talents are somewhat polarizing. He has that typical old-school center skill set, with limited abilities beyond the rim, and he seems to be a very raw prospect for now. I can see why the Raptors would want him, but I can also understand many reasons why they should explore other candidates before settling on Maluach.
I think Toronto would flourish if their five-man spot were occupied by a true center with floor-spacing abilities. Unfortunately for them, and the NBA as a whole, this archetype is extremely difficult to obtain. There are only a handful of players like that in the league, and they are firmly entrenched in their current situations, like Karl-Anthony Towns, Myles Turner, and Kristaps Porzingis.
I like Maluach a ton—don't get me wrong—but I don't know if, in the current Raptors outlook, he's the best fit at the center position. However, there is a pathway for him to get there; it will likely require a bit of patience from Raptors fans if he joins the team on draft night.