10th pick, who do we like?

Raindog

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MSU guard Jase Richardson.
I wouldn't be shocked if they do something as idiotic as that. My guess would be a worthless trade down for less value and taking their version of Bronny in Richardson.
 

Hoop Head

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Good summary from NBADraft.net ranking Centers.

Here's their write up on Malauch.
Maluach is a towering, high-upside rim protector with elite length, impressive coordination for his size, and promising defensive upside. He is one of the youngest players in the 2025 draft class and is widely rated as the top center in the class by most online pundits. While we are a bit below consensus on him, his huge standing reach and free-throw touch create a lot of optimism. He showed steady improvement throughout his freshman year at Duke, anchoring the paint in limited minutes while flashing long-term starter tools. He shot 71 percent from the field, primarily on rim runs, lobs, and rolls, and displayed soft touch with encouraging free-throw mechanics at 76 percent. Defensively, his 9′6″ standing reach gives him real presence as a rim protector, and his timing and positioning are trending upward as he averaged 1.3 blocks in just 21 minutes per game. That said, expectations may be getting a bit unrealistic. Scouts note that despite his large frame, Maluach has a high center of gravity and lacks core strength and balance, leading to him being pushed off the block. The zero-rebound Final Four loss to Houston exposed how physical play can take him out of rhythm and limit his effectiveness. It is also worth noting that he benefited from playing on a loaded Duke team and was never asked to carry the offensive load the way many other first-round bigs were. If he adds significant core strength, he could become a long-term starter, but he remains one of the bigger leap-of-faith prospects at his current draft projection.

I can see the case for Queen out of Maryland but the last Maryland C we drafted was Alex Len and that is clouding my view on him. I'd take the potential of Maluach over Queen, who was/is more developed now.

Link to article...

 

Mainstreet

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Good summary from NBADraft.net ranking Centers.

Here's their write up on Malauch.


I can see the case for Queen out of Maryland but the last Maryland C we drafted was Alex Len and that is clouding my view on him. I'd take the potential of Maluach over Queen, who was/is more developed now.

Link to article...


Have to like that 7′6.75″ wingspan.
 

JerkFace

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I like Maluach out of Duke so far but didn't think we'd have a chance to get him. Having #10 is much better than #29 and we could potentially move up using both picks. Got 3 days to study prospects.

I’m on the Maluach train as well. If we are able to get him it would definitely make me feel better about the Durant trade.
 

BirdGangThing

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everybody wants 3 and d power forward - same with 7 footers - good ones will be gone we need a diamond in the rough - but knowing ish he's thinking blood diamond
 

az jam

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I like Derik Queen. Hope he is the pick.

Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Height: 6-9¼ | Age: 20.4 | TS%: 60.0 | PR: 13

Strengths:
Queen is the most skilled big man in this draft. His ability to create shots facing the basket, pass and use his frame in the post makes him a significant mismatch.

Weaknesses: He lacks length and explosiveness for an NBA center and struggles with poor conditioning, which makes his upside defensively unclear. He will need to develop his ability to stretch the floor, as he's stuck between the power forward and center positions currently.

The verdict: Queen has no shortage of offensive talent and lifted the Terrapins to an outstanding season. Improving his shooting and conditioning will help alleviate concerns about his defensive intensity. --
 

JerkFace

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If we want to go big and Khaman Maluach isn’t available then it seems like we may be able to trade back 5-8 spots and still have a similar level of big men that we would have at 10.
 

JerkFace

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If we want to go PG then at 10 we should be able to get either Kasparas Jakucionis, Jeremiah Fears, or Egor Demin.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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I like Egor Demin and Thomas Sorber, especially if the Suns can take both combining their 1st rounders.
I think 10 too high for Sorber (and I like him as a gtown alum). But our second pick is too low for him.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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Good summary from NBADraft.net ranking Centers.

Here's their write up on Malauch.


I can see the case for Queen out of Maryland but the last Maryland C we drafted was Alex Len and that is clouding my view on him. I'd take the potential of Maluach over Queen, who was/is more developed now.

Link to article...

Queen isn’t the athlete that Maluach is. Queen is pretty skilled, but he’s got a sloppy body. I have difficulty figuring out where he fits in today’s nba.
 

Hoop Head

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Queen isn’t the athlete that Maluach is. Queen is pretty skilled, but he’s got a sloppy body. I have difficulty figuring out where he fits in today’s nba.

From what little I've seen of him, I agree 100%. Maluach is a home run swing though. In the modern league with Chet, Senguin, and Wemby as well as Sabonis, AD, Gobert, and other bigs in the West though I'd be happy with the KD trade if we can add Maluach.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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I like Derik Queen. Hope he is the pick.

Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Height: 6-9¼ | Age: 20.4 | TS%: 60.0 | PR: 13

Strengths:
Queen is the most skilled big man in this draft. His ability to create shots facing the basket, pass and use his frame in the post makes him a significant mismatch.

Weaknesses: He lacks length and explosiveness for an NBA center and struggles with poor conditioning, which makes his upside defensively unclear. He will need to develop his ability to stretch the floor, as he's stuck between the power forward and center positions currently.

The verdict: Queen has no shortage of offensive talent and lifted the Terrapins to an outstanding season. Improving his shooting and conditioning will help alleviate concerns about his defensive intensity. --
He scares me. I could see us liking him early but eventually growing weary of having to start an undersized, defensively challenged out of shape center.
 

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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The reality? I’m glad we got the 10. But im not loving the talent available in this draft.
 

Hoop Head

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Queen seems to be the safe pick and Maluach is the future pick. It'll be telling to see what happens. Neither would be ok, depending on who is selected. It's not a 2 player draft for us but I'm hyper focused on those 2 for us.
 

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