Khaman Maluach remains the dream, or so one NBA insider says.
To say I was beyond disappointed with the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery would be an understatement — so much so that I even described it as a miserable reward for a team that endured a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign in my response piece.
Nevertheless, the Raptors will have the 9th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, provided they can complete a trade that either allows them to move down or move up before June 25.
The mock drafts from various publications are showing Toronto heading in a myriad of different prospect directions. For me, I’m definitely on the Carter Bryant train if the Raptors remain at the 9th overall pick.
However, if Khaman Maluach, a long-rumored attractive Duke big man for the Raptors, is still on the board when Toronto makes their selection, that should be their guy.
Raptors still among the draft teams with high interest in Khaman Maluach
Recently, I highlighted a couple points made by NBA insider Jake Fischer who reported on the Raptors' rumored interest on getting into the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.
It largely mentioned a possible Toronto package centered on RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl as serving necessary to get that desired goal done. As much of an alluring thought that may be, it does leave Toronto in a sense of limbo when it comes to who will step into the shoes left by Poeltl at the center position.
However, Fischer would address that point in his June 6 column for Marc Stein's Substack, where he stated:
"One thing teams seem to agree on: Duke center Khaman Maluach is largely viewed as the leading center prospect in this class. And Toronto, sources say, is among the clubs that highly value the 7-foot-2 big man who played for South Sudan's national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics."Jake Fischer
The next point raised by Fischer also indicates Toronto's consideration of alternative options should Maluach be unavailable at their draft position.
"The Raptors, though, have left various rival teams with the impression that they covet multiple centers at the No. 9 slot … meaning they might have another big man in mind should Maluach come off the board by the time Toronto is on the clock."Jake Fischer
The thing is, Maluach's appeal across the upcoming draft team circles has him projected anywhere from the top 4 to possibly falling to the Raptors at their 9th pick. I have no doubt that Toronto and Masai Ujiri haven't abandoned their vision of potentially adding Maluach to the roster, but it's also clear they have other options in mind if their primary target becomes unattainable.
Now, if Poeltl does, in fact, leave the team, then without a doubt, the Raptors would be getting a perfect replacement in Maluach — whose draft combine showcase demonstrated his significant potential to make an immediate high-impact contribution.