Coach Drew’s Draft Board: Khaman Maluach

Two years after selecting Dereck Lively II, the Dallas Mavericks could have an opportunity to add another promising Duke big man in the 2025 NBA Draft if they keep their first-round pick.

With all the injuries the Dallas Mavericks have endured this season, with the most recent being Dereck Lively II’s foot fracture, the team has not had the season most were expecting after last year’s runner-up result and this past offseason’s acquisitions.

While this is certainly disappointing, there is always the best-case scenario where Luka Doncic finds a way to propel Dallas back into title contention once he returns from his calf injury. This is well within the realm of possibility, but Mavs fans must also be prepared for more dismal outcomes, the most catastrophic being missing the playoffs altogether.

However, even in the worst possible circumstances, there is always a silver lining in the NBA, and that is the NBA Draft. This holds especially true for this year’s draft, which is one of the deepest in recent memory. With all of this being said, I will be doing a series of write-ups on 2025 NBA Draft prospects that the Mavs could be in a position to acquire when the time comes. Welcome to “Coach Drew’s Draft Board!”

According to most current NBA mock drafts, Dallas is projected to pick somewhere in the mid-to-high twenties. One name listed in this part of draft boards that jumps out to me immediately is Duke’s Khaman Maluach.

Standing at 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, along with his athletic fluidity, the South Sudan native boasts the stature, length, and athleticism necessary to be a solid rim protector and lob threat at the next level. His numbers back up this assertion, as he currently averages 1.1 blocks in just 19.9 minutes per game while unofficially leading the country in field goal percentage at 78.8 percent.

While he currently is only fourth on Duke’s roster in scoring at 8.9 points per game, keep in mind that he is on a roster with projected top-pick Cooper Flagg and projected first-rounder Kon Knueppel, who shoulder the majority of the Blue Devils’ offensive load.

Beyond his impressive physical attributes and promising college statistics, Khaman Maluach has demonstrated a versatile skill set that extends well beyond average expectations for a player of his size. During his tenure at the NBA Academy Africa and his impactful performances with the South Sudan national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Maluach showcased exceptional vision and surprising perimeter skills, particularly in the open floor. These instances, though currently limited, showcase his potential to be so much more than a traditional rim-running shot-blocker.

What is most scary about Maluach is he doesn’t have the long, gangly look that most 19-year old seven-footers have. For someone so tall and long, he possesses some serious muscle mass at 250 pounds, and appears to have room for even more growth. If he adds more functional muscle as he ages, he could be one of the most intimidating paint presences in the league.

Mavs Fit

First and foremost, nobody knows what Dallas’ roster will look like by the time the draft comes around. Nico Harrison is known best for his aggressiveness in roster improvement, and team needs may shift to a point where Maluach isn’t even in the draft conversation.

However, there has been significant buzz around the league about the Mavs potentially trading with New Orleans for Herb Jones, one of the league’s brightest young defenders. One name that has been floated as a possible exchange for Jones is Daniel Gafford, the Mavs’ back-up center. If this happens, there will be an immediate need for a back-up post player.

Maluach could fill that role for Dallas immediately, and might even be an improvement in the long run. While Gafford is certainly the better player at this current moment in time, Maluach has the upside to be even better. He is already more skilled than Gafford, and will only improve as he acclimates to the speed of the NBA game.

Pro Comparison: Dereck Lively II

I’m sure I’ll get some eye-rolls for this statement, but let’s first compare the two before we draw any conclusions. As far as statistical comparisons are concerned, Maluach is actually having a better freshman season than Lively did in 2023. Through 18 games, Maluach has a better scoring average, field goal percentage, and rebounding average. While has not shown to be the defensively versatile rim protector Lively is, Maluach is well above average on that end of the floor, and will be able to defend in an NBA setting.

As for some similarities, they both played on seriously talented Duke rosters in similar roles. They also showcase a lot of offensive similarities as seven-footers who possess guard skills, and are able to move incredibly well for men their size. Both are also still incredibly raw, but have shown significant promise in terms of upside.

Also, like Lively did in 2023, I expect Maluach’s draft stock to climb significantly, especially if Duke is able to make a run in March. If that happens, the Mavs would likely have to trade up to take him, which is unlikely. That would also mean this article is a waste of time… but that’s how things go sometimes. Stay tuned for more Mavs Step Back draft content throughout the second half of this season and leading into the summer!

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