The Toronto Raptors season is virtually over with 3 games left in the regular season.
They are essentially locked into having the 7th best lottery odds ahead of the NBA Draft lottery in May.
Barring any movement, the Raptors should have the 7th pick in the upcoming draft and they will also have the No. 39 pick in the second-round.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo put out their latest mock draft and they have the Raptors taking two freshmen with their selections. First they peg the Raptors taking Duke big man Khaman Maluach with the No. 7 pick:
“Maluach was in the middle of a strong NCAA tournament — posting a combined 27 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks in 55 minutes against Arizona and Alabama in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, respectively — until he ran into a physical, veteran Houston team that dominated him inside the paint in the Final Four. The 18-year-old center needs to get stronger, tougher and more experienced to handle those types of matchups, but he had a fantastic freshman season overall.
“His ability to anchor a defense with his 7-foot-6 wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition is clearly valuable, and the Raptors have a clear need for a player in that mold with his long-term projection. — Givony”
Maluach would definitely be a good option for the Raptors at backup center. He has a chance to become a special defensive player, although his game is still very raw.
Next, the Raptors are projected to take Tahaad Pettiford from Auburn at No. 39. Pettiford averaged 15.2 points and 3.6 assists in the NCAA Tournament. He would give the Raptors another option at point guard behind Jamal Shead.
Khaman Maluach projected to Raptors in latest mock draft
The Toronto Raptors continue to be linked to Khaman Maluach before the 2025 NBA Draft.
He makes sense for the Raptors given their need for more frontcourt depth. He was penciled in to go to the Raptors by another mock draft recently.
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