Khaman Maluach NBA Draft Projection: 5 NBA Teams That Could Select the Duke Star in 2025
Khaman Maluach is one of the more intriguing prospects because thereās no telling what his ceiling could be. His defense is already excellent, but thereās a lot of room to grow on offense. The team that takes him will bank on him becoming a two-way force down the line.
Minus a jump shot, Maluach does have all the makings of a modern NBA center. Heās a rim-runner, shot-blocker, and a lob threat. Plus, the offensive potential is tantalizing enough for a team that missed on a higher pick
5 NBA Teams That Could Draft Khaman Maluach
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are still trying to infuse veteran help with promising youth. Maluach gives them a good project to develop while also giving him a bar to clear with Jakob Poeltl as their starting center. Poeltl is 29 years old, so heās right in his prime. In case Maluach isnāt ready for the big time yet, four years could be all he needs before supplanting Poeltl.
Maluach could learn the ropes of becoming a winning player alongside a team that pretty much is doing the same thing. The Raptors have plenty of playmakers with size. Adding a raw center with NBA-ready defensive instincts could make their next contender in due time.
San Antonio Spurs
Of all the teams that could draft Maluach, the Spurs are definitely the scariest. While Victor Wembanyama is already enough of a threat on both sides of the floor, Maluach would give them a twin towers situation that could make San Antonio downright impossible to score on in the post.
The Spurs werenāt even meant to be in this position, as they signaled they planned to win as soon as possible with Wembanyama. However, Maluach gives them an even bigger sign of hope. It may be drastic to put this out there, but if he lives up to his potential, he and Wembanyama could make the best big-man duo theyāve had since Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls continue to be a mystery. Even after trading Zach LaVine, Chicago has started to look promising post-trade deadline. Granted, theyāll likely end up with a lottery pick anyway, and Maluach gives them a promising center if and when they part ways with Nikola VuÄeviÄ.
Chicagoās turn to its youth movement has gone at a snailās pace. However, Maluach fits better with their timeline with Josh Giddey and Coby White. Time will tell if Chicago will get out of no-manās land, but Maluach at least gives them a promising big man, which is something they havenāt had since Lauri Markkanen.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will likely turn away from Clint Capela this offseason, and embrace Onyeka Okongwu, as heās coming into his own with a bigger role.
Maluach would give Okongwu a partner-in-crime. More importantly, his defensive presence could make the Hawks more cover for Trae Youngās shortcomings on that end of the floor.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets donāt necessarily need more youth as they, one, already have plenty theyāre trying to develop and, two, are in the midst of their most successful season since the James Harden days. However, if they want to play double-big, there might not be a player who fits better next to Alperen ÅengĆ¼n, knowing how those would complement one another.
ÅengĆ¼n is one of the most well-rounded offensive centers in the league already while showing improvement on defense. Maluach would help cover for his shortcomings on defense, and his rim protection gives Houston something ÅengĆ¼n does not. Even if he doesnāt pan out great, being ÅengĆ¼nās backup is nothing to be ashamed of.
Because Maluachās outlook is as a project, it makes it hard to determine where heāll land in the draft. The higher he goes, the more likely it is his first NBA team will believe in his ceiling. The lower he goes, the more likely it is his first NBA team will take it slowly with him.
