Michael Reaves/Getty Photos
2006 | 7-2 | 7-6 WS | 252 LBS
Finest 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 major 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 reveals 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 venture.
A professional scout advised HoopsHype: “I really 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 in all probability not going to set the world on fireplace. He didn’t even common in a spot like school, however what he does is all the time precious. 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 in all probability the place he’s at. He is perhaps caught as a putback man. However once more, being a putback and lob menace is nice. You may be like Dereck Vigorous in that regard, proper? That’s what he jogs my memory of. Dereck Vigorous was only a rim-running, putback massive.”
