Following another injury-ridden rebuilding campaign, the Toronto Raptors may be primed to turn a corner in the wide-open Eastern Conference next season. Their No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is projected to be a key part of their turnaround. According to PFSN’s Bjorn Bergstrom, it could land them their “center for the future.”
Despite seemingly trying to tank during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, Toronto finished 11th in the East (30-52), with several reserves stepping up in expanded roles. After catching a tough break in the draft lottery, it isn’t expected to land a franchise cornerstone via the draft.
Nevertheless, the Raptors should receive a considerable boost next season, as their top trade deadline acquisition, star forward Brandon Ingram (ankle), hasn’t debuted yet. Ingram’s addition, combined with improved all-around roster health and the No. 9 pick, could help the Scottie Barnes-led squad vault up the standings.
While team president Masai Ujiri noted in April that Toronto is “going to [draft] the best talent available,” he acknowledged its “need [for] another young big.” As a result, many are predicting the franchise to use its lottery pick on a high-upside backup for veteran big man Jakob Poeltl.
Why Khaman Maluach Is the Raptors’ Projected Pick at No. 9
In PFSN’s latest two-round mock draft, Bergstrom forecasted Toronto to land Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach at No. 9. A mobile rim-runner and shot blocker with untapped potential, Maluach is widely considered the draft’s most physically imposing prospect.
According to Bergstrom, the 18-year-old’s impressive NBA Draft Combine measurements could give him Rudy Gobert-level upside as a defensive anchor.
“Standing just under 7’1″ barefoot at the draft combine and with a wingspan of nearly 7’7″, his length scared away many opposing players who intended to finish at the rim,” Bergstrom wrote. “He easily changed or discouraged more shots than he blocked. While all of that doesn’t scream star, it does scream defensive building block in a Rudy Gobert-esque role.”
The analyst also cited optimism surrounding Maluach’s chances of becoming a stretch five at the next level despite his limited 3-point attempts at Duke.
“There’s also some belief that Maluach could develop a 3-point stroke, as he made four of 16 attempts during the season, but he is impressing during pre-draft workouts,” Bergstrom wrote.
Bergstrom concluded by pointing to Maluach having higher two-way upside than the 29-year-old Poeltl, who appears to have maxed out as a solid starter.
“The Toronto Raptors have a starting center in place in Jakob Poeltl, but he is far from the lengthy player that Maluach is and has a much lower ceiling than the former Blue Devil,” Bergstrom wrote. “Toronto would likely view this pick as nabbing its center for the future and the anchor of its defense for years to come.”
Over 39 outings at Duke, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 71.2% and a steady 76.6% at the free-throw line.
Maluach’s NBA Comparisons and Fit With Raptors
As Bergstrom noted, Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is Maluach’s highest-end comparison. However, the South Sudanese prospect has also been likened to younger paint presences like Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams.
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Given Toronto’s lack of a proven backup center, it would likely be thrilled with Maluach falling to ninth. He would presumably develop behind Poeltl before being given the reins of the Raptors’ starting five spot alongside Barnes and Ingram in the frontcourt.
