Bleacher Report Projects Raptors Selecting Khaman Maluach In Latest Mock Draft

The Toronto Raptors will most likely be apart of this year’s NBA Draft lottery.

The team currently has the 5th worst record in the NBA and unless they go on a hot streak to end the season, they are expected to remain in the bottom.

Raptors management has made it clear that they are focused on the draft and adding another top young talent to this group.

When looking at the Raptors current depth chart, they are in need of some frontcourt depth. With Kelly Olynyk with the New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Robinson on a two-way contract and Ulrich Chomche a project, the Raptors only have Jakob Poeltl as their only true reliable traditional center.

Therefore, the Raptors could be targeting a big in this year’s draft. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman think so, as he has the Raptor taking Duke 7’2″ center Khaman Maluach at no.5 in his latest mock draft:

“Scouts don’t sound concerned by Khaman Maluach’s raw offense or pedestrian shot-blocking numbers. At 7’2″ with the way he moves, they see a sure-fire finishing weapon and defensive disruption whose pre-Duke flashes of shotmaking hint at another route to offensive upside.

Given Maluach’s limited role with the Blue Devils, he’s a candidate to sell more teams during workouts with some masked shooting range for a prospect who’s likely to measure similarly to Rudy Gobert.”

Wasserman compared Maluach to Charlotte Hornets’ big man Mark Williams. The Raptors could look at Maluach as their future starting center. Through 27 games with the Blue Devils, he’s averaging 8.2 points on 71.4 percent shooting from the field, 74.1 percent from the free throw line, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Maluach is a very intriguing prospect, with an old-school center skill set. He is limited beyond the rim, but he’s the type of young prospect the Raptors could take at this selection.

The Raptors would have Maluach and Chomche as their two young center prospect, hoping one of them turns into something special in the future.

If the Raptors don’t fall into the top-4, Maluach might be their guy at this spot or lower.

Darko Rajakovic praises Scottie Barnes’ defense

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