
Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs
2006 | 7-2 | 7-6 WS | 252 LBS
Greatest rank: 5 / Worst rank: 17
Agent: Klutch
2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.2 spg, 1.3 bpg, 71.2% FG, 25.0% 3P in 39 video games
Brooklyn Nets will look so as to add a main ballhandler and playmaking guard. They want a younger lead guard who can run the offense and develop as a long-term starter. Nevertheless, Nic Claxton’s present 4-year, $97 million deal expires in 2028 so drafting a alternative to doubtlessly commerce him is a risk.
Khaman Maluach has elite bodily instruments and spectacular mobility for his dimension. His rim-running and ending skill are already NBA-caliber (72.3% FG, 1.759 PPP as roll man), and he exhibits flashes of defensive upside (1.3 bpg in simply 21 mpg) along with his shot-blocking instincts and switchability. Nevertheless, his rawness is clear – restricted offensive really feel, inconsistent defensive positioning (0.952 PPP allowed), and an underdeveloped jumper (25% 3P) go away room for progress. Whereas not but a dominant rebounder, his bodily instruments, motor, and pick-and-roll dominance make him a high-upside mission.
A professional scout instructed HoopsHype: “I like Maluach. His skill, for a man who’s about 7-foot-2 or no matter he’s, is nuts. He runs the ground rather well. He’s tremendous uncooked, clearly. He’s not essentially the most expert participant, and he’s most likely not going to set the world on hearth. He didn’t even common in a spot like school, however what he does is at all times helpful. Rim-running, shot-blocking bigs. He runs the ground rather well. He’s okay in drop protection and within the pick-and-roll; he’s not going to be left on an island on the market. I don’t know the way way more he can develop. I feel that’s most likely the place he’s at. He is likely to be caught as a putback man. However once more, being a putback and lob risk is nice. You could be like Dereck Energetic in that regard, proper? That’s what he jogs my memory of. Dereck Energetic was only a rim-running, putback huge.”
Extra: Khaman Maluach: NBA draft scouting report and intel